Walsh, Kirk agree on need for permanent funding solution

Congressman Joe Walsh and Sen. Mark Kirk aren’t ideological counterparts by any means.

Still, the McHenry tea partyer and Highland Park moderate, both Republicans, do agree that negotiations have to happen between the House and Senate on a permanent funding solution — so different, more important issues, including the country’s debt ceiling, can be addressed.

“I don’t know why we don’t all sit in a room. Lock the door, (let Republicans and Democrats) beat each other up and come out with something,” Walsh reflected Sunday, as he finished a week in the district.

But March 15, when the Republican-controlled House passed a three-week funding measure by a vote of 271-158, Walsh was one of 54 Republicans to vote no. The legislation cut $6 billion from the federal budget, as House and Senate leaders continue to negotiate details of a more permanent deal.

It was the sixth temporary extension this fiscal year, funding the government through April 8. The upper chamber had, just days before, rejected a permanent proposal that would cut spending by $61 billion from current levels this fiscal year, which goes through September.

Walsh was one of 54 Republicans who voted against the temporary measure March 15, though he voted for the earlier extension on March 1. Only nine Republicans opposed the earlier measure.

“This temporary spending resolution doesn’t come close to doing what the American people want Congress doing. We were sent to Washington to dramatically cut spending, defund Obamacare, and stop the rise in government regulations,” Walsh said after the vote.

But as the clock ticks, Walsh said he’s cognizant of other pressing issues at hand, including the decision whether to extend the country’s debt ceiling.

From the Senate, Highland Park Republican Mark Kirk said he’s been working to urge compromise.

“That debate needs to end. The year is almost half over,” Kirk told the Daily Herald in mid-March. “The longer the debate goes on, the less important it is.”

While Walsh has made repeated statements refusing to compromise his ideals, he said in the current spending fight, “there’s going to have to be deals on both sides. Because the bigger fight is the month down the road. The debt ceiling. The budget crisis. I am hopeful we will compromise some. But it will have to be a lot closer to what House Republicans want.”