Grayson’s Strategy To Shut Down GOP Shutdown Strategy

Posted by | March 5, 2015 18:00 | Filed under: Contributors Mark Quincy Adams Opinion Politics Top Stories

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Since the 2010 elections elevated the Tea Party, the GOP have used government shutdowns as a strategy of flexing power. While many mainstream Republicans realize the folly of this sort of hostage taking, few have had the courage to do anything about it. But a gutsy liberal Congressman has a plan to stop the insanity.

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) said this week that he is seeking co-sponsors for a “Shut Down the Shutdowns Act” that would automatically extend existing appropriations levels for another fiscal year whenever Congress fails to fund agencies before their money expires. “It changes the default from shutdown to the same budget,” Grayson said during an interview with The Post on Tuesday. “I don’t think the founders ever intended us to face one shutdown after another.”

The likelihood of many Republicans partnering with one of the most eccentric and liberal people in Washington is slim. However, it wouldn’t mean they would have to do something they haven’t supported themselves in the past.

It’s unclear whether Grayson can win over enough Republicans to push his bill through Congress at a time when the power of the purse is one of their biggest bargaining chips, but GOP lawmakers have supported and even sponsored similar legislation in the past.

Rep. James Lankford (R-Okla.) introduced a nearly identical anti-shutdown bill in 2013, and former congressman George Gekas (R-Pa.) pitched legislation in 1999 to ensure that a closure would not occur the following year.

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Copyright 2015 Liberaland
By: Mark Quincy Adams

A proud 'pragmatic progressive' Mark Quincy Adams has been a political
talk show host and prolific pontificator since 1992. Find him on Facebook and Twitter @politicalglutton

9 responses to Grayson’s Strategy To Shut Down GOP Shutdown Strategy

  1. Maxx44 March 5th, 2015 at 18:12

    Even if the Repugs loved this bill, they would vote against it since a Dem introduced it.

  2. mea_mark March 5th, 2015 at 18:12

    It’s good timing. This should be an issue in the upcoming elections. Lets see where people stand and who really wants a functioning government and who is willing to throw Americans into the winds of uncertainty for political reasons.

  3. StoneyCurtisll March 5th, 2015 at 19:00

    I think it’s a great idea…
    Only problem is, anything I like, republicans despise.

  4. Guy Lauten March 5th, 2015 at 19:37

    My word, functional legislation! Haven’t seen that in a while…
    Rock on, Mr. Grayson.

  5. bluejayray March 5th, 2015 at 20:34

    Let’s hold off for awhile. I’d like to see them continue to show their true colors. They don’t have what it takes to actually govern, and are better suited for throwing bombs from the back bench. And of course make sure they to try to pass bills to ban gay marriage–and maybe gay people themselves like the “kill the gays” bill they pushed on Uganda. And of course that perennial favorite, banning a woman’s right to choose and repealing Obamacare for the umpty-seventeenth time. Americans are slow learners and won’t get it until it affects them personally.

  6. Tim Coolio March 5th, 2015 at 20:48

    Good job Alan, he’s my kind of Democrat!

  7. Warman1138 March 6th, 2015 at 05:15

    Excellent.

  8. Pilotshark March 6th, 2015 at 08:56

    i know it would have to wait until next congress but he should also throw in if there is a shut down no pay or benefits for all three branches, without back pay.

    LOL @ myself well at least it`s Friday and Payday :-)

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