RNC Women

When Congress reconvenes after Thanksgiving, it will be clear that the governing philosophies of the two parties have rarely been so different. 

Despite controlling majorities in both chambers of Congress, as well as the White House, Democrats for the past year refused to pass a full budget or forward twelve of the appropriations bills that fund the government to the president for his signature. 

Because they failed in this most basic function of Congress, lawmakers are scrambling now to put together a continuing resolution to fund the government into next year.  Democrats, staying true to form, want to put together a last minute omnibus bill to fund every department in the federal government through next September, while leaving many of the details up to the Obama White House.

Republicans, swept into power by an electorate that was long since tired of this kind of business as usual, have a different plan.  Republicans in both chambers are working to make sure that any continuing resolution lasts only as long as is necessary to keep the government running until the new Congress can get to work next year.  Republicans are ready to go even further to treat the taxpayers with the respect they deserve, as they voted unanimously to adopt a total ban on earmarks for the next Congress. 

Democrats seem ready to exit the majority the same way they used it – by spending billions of dollars of taxpayer money on rushed legislation that is enacted without many members even being given an opportunity to read it before they vote on it.  This failure of leadership is a chief reason why the American people rejected the Democrats in this month’s elections and ushered in a new Republican majority to Congress.  The differences between the parties – and the preference of the American people is clear.  Republicans are right on this issue and will be better stewards of the tax dollars that the American people work so hard to earn in the first place.