The way Washington works? Dold doesn’t like it, but realizes that’s the way it’s done

With just 30 days left to reach a debt ceiling agreement before the government defaults on its financial obligations, 10th District Congressman Bob Dold knows time is of the essence.

Though just a few months into his tenure in Congress, the Kenilworth pest control business owner can see what’s coming down the pike — eleventh hour negotiations between Democrats and Republicans, similar to the way a Fiscal Year 2011 budget deal was reached in April, with political posturing until the very end.

“You saw played out with the ... (budget), it happened literally at the last moment,” Dold said.

Putting off negotiations between Democrats and Republicans, he says, “is not the most effective way to have things done. As far as the business world would be concerned, you’d want to make sure a decision like this would be made far ahead of time.”

And yet, “unfortunately it’s the way Washington works,” he said.

It has for a long time.

Even as far back as 1844, congressional doorkeepers were known to turn back the hands of chambers’ clocks at the close of every annual session, lengthening the official day so lawmakers could finish their work.

While President Barack Obama has stressed the need to complete a deal sooner than later, neither he nor the divided Congress is making it any easier. The White House has identified at least $1.3 trillion in spending cuts over 10 years and is proposing up to $400 billion in new tax revenue. Republicans want more spending cuts and no tax increases.

The Senate on Thursday appeared committed to continue to work through the holiday weekend. Members of the House are on break, with many, including Dold, spending the week at home working in their districts.

And it’s tough to know exactly how negotiations are going, especially from home.

“ ... They’re not publicizing where things are in terms of the debate, or where the negotiations are. Frankly they don’t want anybody negotiating, blowing up the talk.”

Ÿ Daily Herald news services contributed to this report.