As the year began, Speaker Paul Ryan, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised that Congress would ‘get back to work.’ They proposed a conservative agenda, but the greatest drawback has been the annual budget; none exists as of today, and the deadline was April 15^th.

In the House, Ryan is facing the same extremists as former Speaker John Boehner encountered. The TEA Party, which has changed its name because of a negative image to the ‘Freedom Caucus,’ remains an obstructionist body which refuses to discuss other proposals than their own, or to compromise.

President Obama has proposed a 1.07 trillion-dollar budget, which is 30 billion dollars higher than the one offered by conservatives. The right wing is exhibiting eluctance to engage in a battle, but not because entirely because they don’t have the votes. It is all connected to this year’s general election.

Republicans do not wish to reveal additional leadership failures. The 2016 campaign season has divided the party even further, and another loss in November is looming large in the GOP’s future.

It appears that gridlock in Washington has become the status quo.

Although Republicans control the senate, floor amendments proposed regarding the budget gave strong indications that Democrats have the strength. Of nine proposals suggested, all four Republican offerings failed and all five offered by Democrats passed; three of them with 70 votes.

Once again it is the Democrats in Congress who are offering positive solutions to the necessity of maintaining an effective government. As we watched in 12 grueling debates, none of the 17 passengers in the GOP clown car offered substantive solutions to our domestic problems.

It is evident that if our government is to work efficiently, a Democrat must reside in the White House, and progressives must regain control of both houses.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

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