There are many, many budget proposals superior to the one presented yesterday, but none of those had a prayer of passage.
I had proposed a much better budget bill that could have passed. It would have met Paul Ryan's (R-WI) stated principles of no tax increases and deficit reduction, while also providing meaningful relief from the sequester for our most vulnerable citizens and boosting investments in infrastructure, education and other discretionary expenses.
The silver lining in the budget deal is that Democrats can campaign in 2014 to reverse the obscene priorities that have veterans, public service employees and medicare providers paying for corporate loopholes and tax-cuts for the rich.
Nonetheless, John Boehner (R-OH) will certainly need Democrats to vote for it to achieve passage.
It goes without saying that Democrats should supply no votes if unemployment benefits are not extended for the 1.3 million Americans who have been out of work for 99+ weeks.
But, Democrats should also say "no" unless the Senate's immigration bill is brought to a vote on the House floor. Just a vote. No requirement that it passes. Just a vote. Not too much to ask.
I had proposed a much better budget bill that could have passed. It would have met Paul Ryan's (R-WI) stated principles of no tax increases and deficit reduction, while also providing meaningful relief from the sequester for our most vulnerable citizens and boosting investments in infrastructure, education and other discretionary expenses.
The silver lining in the budget deal is that Democrats can campaign in 2014 to reverse the obscene priorities that have veterans, public service employees and medicare providers paying for corporate loopholes and tax-cuts for the rich.
Nonetheless, John Boehner (R-OH) will certainly need Democrats to vote for it to achieve passage.
It goes without saying that Democrats should supply no votes if unemployment benefits are not extended for the 1.3 million Americans who have been out of work for 99+ weeks.
But, Democrats should also say "no" unless the Senate's immigration bill is brought to a vote on the House floor. Just a vote. No requirement that it passes. Just a vote. Not too much to ask.