New GOP Congress Pretty Much Like The Old Democrat One When It Comes To Spending

Remember when Republicans were running in November and they said, "Vote for us and we'll extend liberal spending programs like CHIP and add hundreds of billion in debt!"?

Neither do I but that's what happened last night.

The rare bipartisan bill, which passed 92-8, marks one of the biggest achievements yet from the newly GOP-controlled Congress. It will now head to President Obama, who has promised to sign the bill. Obama praised the doc fix bill and said he "will be proud to sign it into law." "It’s a milestone for physicians, and for the seniors and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare for their health care needs," he said in a statement. “It’s another reminder of a new Republican Congress that’s back to work,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement.

A couple of more victories like this and we're in real trouble.

Congress got away with adding to the debt by exempting the bill from the "pay-go" law which requires offsetting cuts when new spending is added. Some Republicans tried to add that provision back in, which would have basically killed the deal but enough Republicans do what they do best, vote with Democrats to spend more, and the amendment failed. It only got 42 votes in fact. How's that GOP majority working out for ya?

I had a good two week run of not beating up on the GOP but it's over. Strangely enough, that run coincided with Congress being out of session on Easter/Passover recess. Huh. But now they are back. It was fun while it lasted.

Oh, in case you're wondering Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Rand Paul voted for the amendment that would have forced the bill to be fully paid for. Paul for some reason broke with the others and voted with the majority to pass the bill even though it adds to the deficit and debt.

Related: Both the House and the Senate passed budget resolutions which claim to balance in 10 years but there were differences so now they will go to conference. It's all a sham though. The doc fix money isn't in either so "balance" is already total bull.

But hey, the GOP is in charge so sit back and enjoy the show!

posted by DrewM. at 01:47 PM

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