It’s the math that shows who is to blame

Who to blame, Democrats or Republicans? What is our constitutional republic form of government for funding this government?

Congress and the president failed to agree on and pass one or more of the regular appropriations bills; therefore, a continuing resolution was passed instead. Congress hasn’t in current years passed the needed twelve appropriations bills in funding our government and has kicked the bucket down the row with multiple CRs.

The Republicans did pass a clean CR to allow time for Congress to perform their responsible duties as Congress has done while President Biden occupied the presidency. The current CR, H.R. 5860 is the continuing resolution to fund the government. The problem is the Senate needs to pass this bill and keep the government operating. But prior to 1917 the Senate rules did not provide for a way to end debate and force a vote on a measure. That year, the Senate adopted a rule to allow a two-thirds majority to end a filibuster, a procedure known as “cloture.”

Today our United States Senate consists of 100 members, 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats (plus Independents). Therefore, although Republicans control the Senate, it’s the Democrats with their Independents that have shut down the government. That’s just simple mathematics.

Our politicians can keep flagging their mouths and the “drive by media” continues to be pushing Fake News in pointing to Republicans, but just do your simple mathematics.

Robert Meale

Crystal Lake