The Issue: A Republican effort to get the Democratic Senate to pass a budget, by withholding paychecks.
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It’s now imperative for Congress to start acting like it has our nation’s best interests in mind, and not its political ideology (“When To Pay a Senator,” Editorial, Jan. 23).
The mere fact that Majority Leader Harry Reid’s Senate hasn’t passed a budget in four years is preposterous.
Hopefully, it will heed to the House GOP’s demand that it pass a budget each year or be penalized.
There seems to be a disconnect among the Democrats regarding the responsibilities of office that needs to be addressed. They can pass sweeping legislation in the middle of the night yet cannot produce a fiscal plan to keep this nation solvent.
Theodore Miraldi
The Bronx
The legislation that increases the debt ceiling should designate how that money can be spent, so that it cannot be used for any new spending or federal employees. They can apply the funds from the debt-ceiling increase to cover the interest on our national debt, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, military-personnel payrolls and unemployment insurance.
President Obama cannot spend the money on anything else. If he and the Senate Democrats reject that legislation and the nation defaults on our obligations, then they are the only ones responsible.
Finally, the House should make a public statement that it will not pass any legislation without passage of a new federal budget. If the Democrats and Obama refuse, they alone are responsible for shutting the government down.
Stephen Kogan
Elizabeth, NJ
It’s about time the Republicans stand up for the constitutional requirement that the Senate pass a budget each year.
We elect representatives to go to Washington and do what is best for our country, not their party. Reid and the Democratic Senate haven’t passed a budget in four years, blatantly disregarding our Constitution.
If legislators don’t fulfill their duties, taxpayers shouldn’t be paying their salary. If our legislators don’t fulfill their obligation of defending and protecting our Constitution, they shouldn’t be in Washington making the laws that govern this country.
Marilyn Beasley
Joplin, Mo.