GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Temporary funding measure still a possibility

• 6278
  

  Raise your hand if you're surprised and you'll prove you're insane because you're relying on doing the same thing over and over again expecting different outcomes. Congress has used a CR solution for the last 25+ years I've been a gummint employee except for a few rare years. Go to the Thomas Register to get the status of the 2005 spending bills. Homeland security was just passed by both houses because it's politically expedient to say "I voted to fund DHS on time for the right amount"...because it's an ELECTON YEAR. The Senate has just begun to debate the Transportation appropriations bill. Why? Because they'll stall and put various agencies into a CR mode, then "we need an omnibus spending bill". And that's where you can find the pork flowing and don't deny Transportation and Interior (think national parks and bicycle paths, hiker's stations etc don't preserve the pristine wilderness we hear so much about) offer a lot of pork? Why does Senator Byrd use the NATIONAL highways bill to get so much going solely to West Virginia, he's a past master of getting bucks for his state and if I lived in WV, I'd probably keep reelecting him too. It's all a game to buy reelection on the parts of both political parties not the overall national interest. I can't believe there is so much partisan bickering today among the citizenry, it's not the democrats' fault, nor is it the republicans' fault; IT'S BOTH THEIR FAULTS, there's really not a much of a difference between the two but people hear the extremist rantings of both parties and think there is. I'll vote, I may not like it much but I'll do it.

  GovExec.com reader Posted September 20, 2004 10:45 AM
• 6271
  

  Wonder what would happen if Congress was under a pay-for-performance plan - how many of us would be able to keep our jobs if, year after year, we failed to complete a critical element - such as funding the government?

  I remember when they moved the end of the fiscal year from June 30 to September 30 so they could have more time to meet their deadline for appropriations. I don't believe that they have met the deadline since.

  GovExec.com reader Posted September 17, 2004 4:19 PM
• 6269
  

  Dear Dedicated - Yup, you must be a federal manager if you're dumb enough to believe the politico's give a rats-behind about being fiscally responsible. They, much like far too many federal managers, will say or do almost anything to get or retain power.

  GovExec.com reader Posted September 17, 2004 12:52 PM
• 6264
  

  I am both saddened and ANGRY to read that some fiscal conservatives are advocating a long-term Continuing Resolution (CR) as "a way to hold down spending." As a dedicated career Federal manager, I can tell you that CRs do NOT "improve" government. CRs force key decisions to be postponed, and waste internal resources on the continual "scrubbing" and "spending justifications" needed within the ever-changing CR targets. The true impact of a CR is to impede efficiency, tie managers' hands, and hold up worthwhile progress. No private corporation would tolerate this kind of abuse. We are taxpayers, too, and want our Agencies to be efficient, effective, and accountable. Just tell us what funding we have so we can plan effectively, spend wisely, and serve you well.

  GovExec.com reader Posted September 17, 2004 8:03 AM
• 6258
  

  What a bunch of incompetent boobs. Congressional pay should be withheld until they pass an appropriation. They say they cannot get it done by Nov. but it should have been done last spring! Is it any wonder that people who understand the congressional process think government is bad? Congress never acts responsibly - all major decisions are from the President's office not Congress - even the spending bills that are supposed to start in the House. Come on boys lets get it done!

  tax payer Posted September 17, 2004 6:20 AM