Hear all that oinking? It's Congress
By Jeff Flake
My Turn
Feb. 17, 2003In case you're wondering when the federal government will return to budget surplus, don't hold your breath.
That said, holding your breath may be the only way to avoid the overwhelming stench of bloated pork wafting from Capitol Hill after passage of the $397 billion Omnibus Appropriations Bill last week.
The omnibus bill for fiscal 2003 was made necessary by Congress' inability to reconcile last year's Republican House appropriations bills and their Democratic counterparts in the Senate. This bill, touted as evidence of how a Republican House can work with a Republican Senate, makes me long for the glory days of gridlock.
Without further ado, let's get to the oinkish details. If you enjoy America's favorite pastime, you will no doubt be pleased to learn that the Congress stepped up to the plate and provided $750,000 for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
If your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll, you might not want to tell them that the Congress provided $350,000 for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
... The key to passing such legislation, of course, is to do it before its contents are discovered. This was achieved this week by printing the bill just hours before the vote. Although the rules of the House of Representatives stipulate that bills be printed at least three days before the vote, these rules were waived along with all preconceived notions of fiscal restraint.
More...
http://www.arizonarepublic.com/opinions/articles/0217flake17.html
Jeff Flake, a Republican, represents Arizona's 6th Congressional District.
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