Dems Defect From Their Own Budget Proposal, Which 'Backfired' And 'Undercut Their Leverage'

Cartoon Commentary by A.F. Branco

Today in Washington, D.C. - March 19, 2011:
At 2:15 PM, the Senate will begin their very short consideration of the nomination of Max Oliver Cogburn to be district judge for the Western District of North Carolina - they will vote at 3 PM.

Yesterday, 11 Democrats voted against their own budget proposal for the rest of the current fiscal year that cut only $4.7 billion. The Democrat plan (the Inouye substitute amendment) failed to get 60 votes, by a vote of 42-58. Prior to that, H.R. 1, the House-passed budget bill that cut $61 billion, also failed to get 60 votes, by a vote of 44-56.

Today the House leadership announced an "American Energy Initiative" as an ongoing effort by the new House majority to stop Washington policies that are driving up gas prices and expand American energy production to help lower costs and create jobs.

The Hill writes today, “Senate Democrats suffered a wave of defections Wednesday as their proposal to cut just over $6 billion [actually $4.7 billion, according to CBO] from federal spending this year went down to defeat. The Democratic bill attracted two fewer votes than the rival GOP measure that would cut spending by another $57 billion this year. The 11 defections will give Republican leaders ammunition in subsequent talks, as they were able to keep their caucus more unified. . . . [Senate Majority Leader Harry] Reid had hoped for a game-changer with votes that showed senators closer to the Democratic plan than the one backed by Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), but the plan backfired.” And Politico points out, “Democrats hoped a pair of Senate votes Wednesday on competing budget plans would strengthen their hand, yet the outcome appeared to undercut their leverage.”

In fact, Democrats’ own budget plan was criticized by a number of Democrat senators who voted against it. As Politico put it, “A Democratic budget alternative failed 58-42 after a mix of moderates and liberals walked away, calling the proposal an inadequate response to the debt problems facing the nation.” The Washington Post adds, “The Democratic defectors, virtually all of whom rejected the spending cuts as insufficient, included fiscal conservatives and senators facing potentially tough reelection campaigns in 2012.” According to The Hill, “[Sen. Joe] Manchin, [D-WV] who criticized a lack of leadership from President Obama earlier this week in the spending fight, said the Democratic plan ‘doesn’t go far enough’ and ‘ignores our fiscal realities.’” And Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) was blunter, saying, “Many people are in denial around here.”

But did Democrat leaders get the message? According to The Hill, Reid said on the floor today, “We accept the lessons of yesterday's vote. . . . We know we’ll have to make a sacrifice to reach consensus, and we are willing to do that.” Are Democrats really willing to do that and get serious about tackling our $1.5 trillion deficit and $14 trillion debt? So far, all Democrat leaders have shown a consensus on is making speeches listing programs they’re unwilling to cut.

Hopefully yesterday’s vote will help Democrats in the Senate and President Obama to understand that this country can no longer afford the status quo on government spending. As Leader McConnell put it last week, “The American people have made their position quite clear: reverse the reckless spending and out-of-control expansion of government Democrats have presided over the past two years. Stop growing government, so Americans can grow the economy — and the jobs that come with it.” It’s time for Democrats to work with Republicans to correct our unsustainable fiscal course.

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