Let me make sure I'm understanding something correctly (about the Omnibus.)

[Clio the Leo]

If the President does not sign the Omnibus Spending Bill .... the government SHUTS DOWN .... like it did when Clinton was President (and we ALL remember what happened when the government shut down last time, Bill got bored and ordered pizza! lol) Right?

There is no line-item veto ... so the President cant simply "take out" or "stop" the earmarks ... it's an all or nothing thing, right?

So he's caught between a rock and a hard place, if he signs it he's "reneging on his campaign promise to reduce earmarks" (even though he didn't put them in there) and if he DOESN'T sign it, then the Federal Government shuts down.

Am I missing something?

I'm usually pretty easy on the press, they have a job to do and they do it even if the means are sometimes less than forthright, but this BS is about to send me over the edge.

So I just want to make sure I'm clear.

[peoli]

1. also wtf is OMNIBUS?

[Clio the Leo]

2. lol, here........

"An OMNIBUS BILL packages together several measures into one or combines diverse subjects into a single bill. Examples are reconciliation bills, combined appropriations bills, and private relief and claims bills."

http://www.c-span.org/guide/congress/glossary/omnibus.htm

[sandnsea]

3. They can do another temporary spending

Like they did last year.

[elleng]

4. I think he can't reasonably be blamed for earmarks in the omnibus.

He's prolly had relatively little to do with the omnibus due to its size and consequences, and as you say there's no 'line-item veto. He's got to reduce earmarks in his new legislative endeavors.

That's MY reading, anyway, fwiw.

[geckosfeet]

5. FYI - the National Women's History Project Act - is impacted by Omnibus spending -

Hi Friends--
1) S. 22: The Omnibus Public Lands Management Act, in now before the Senate. It contains all bills relating to the National Park Service that have already been passed by the House.
Of specific importance to everyone (but especially to the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse and women's history sites in NYS) is the National Women's History Project Act (which will create a women's history trail through New York State) and the Save America's Treasures bill (which would provide $20 million in funding for historic preservation this year).
Alan Spears, of the National Parks and Conservation Association, reports that there have been 23 amendments added to this bill since its introduction. Some of them are designed to be obstructive, including the one by Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn that would prohibit the designation of any new parks, heritage areas, or sites until the management backlog at several national parks has been eliminated. If the bill passes with amendments, it will have to go back to the House for further votes.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THIS BILL BE PASSED, AMENDMENT FREE, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Phone calls or letters to your Senators, asking them to pass this without any amendments, would be deeply appreciated.

Visit the National Trust for Historic Preservation website.