To Sign or Not to Sign... An Update

     Shortly after our grand adventure ended last night, the House changed the scene again. So here's the update. The House just signed a bill that approves the budget but adds yet another amendment. This time, since they couldn't get the funding removed for the health care law, they are trying to delay the start of the Affordable Care Act for another year. On Friday, the president said in a press conference that he would veto any legislation that delayed the start of the health care law. So even if this new version of the budget bill were to pass in the Senate, which it won't, it would be vetoed by the president. So what was the point of the amendment? It comes down to more posturing by the Republican House. Now they can say they are trying to avoid a shutdown, but the Senate and the president are blocking their efforts. But let's be honest... They are trying to force the issue on a bill that isn't going to change yet. Should they abandon all hope and stop fighting this bill? Of course not. That's what makes our form of government work. Our system of government needs two opposing views to keep each other in check. But this is not the time or the way to force change. They should have signed the bill as is.
     But they didn't. And that leaves us with an interesting question... What should the Senate do? Change the amendment and send it back. Now I'm hypocritical right? I told the House to pass the old version, but I said the Senate can go ahead and change it again. Let me explain... Let's say the Senate does pass this new version. So what? The president already said he is going to veto it. So why bother? It won't help avoid a shutdown because it has no chance of becoming law. So the Senate needs to come up with a amendment that removes the health care delay and send it back to the House. And the House needs to stop the posturing and get a budget passed. I'm sure there will be bill after bill that comes from the House trying to change the Affordable Care Act. But please, first let's get a budget done so our government stays in motion.