Another Threat Of Government Shutdown ?

The government is not yet a half a year away from a previous threat of government shutdown -- with the political parties arguing over the extension of the government's debt ceiling. They were barely able to avert that government shutdown, but it was enough to make the American people so mad that they are still giving Congress record-breaking low approval ratings -- around 15%.

It was hoped that Congress had learned their lesson, especially since the leaders of both parties came back to Washington after their August break swearing there would not be a repeat performance of that ridiculous stand-off. Well, those promises didn't last very long, because another threat of government shutdown is now brewing on Capitol Hill. This time it's over funding for FEMA -- the agency tasked to helping American victims of disasters.

There is a continuing resolution that must be approved by both houses of Congress before the end of this month. The continuing resolution will allow the government to operate until at least November 18th, while work continues on the budget for the new fiscal year. If the resolution doesn't pass before the end of this month, there will be a government shutdown, since the government will not have the allocated funds to operate.

The fly in the ointment that could prevent the continuing resolution from being passed is FEMA funding. The House has allocated only $3.65 billion for FEMA, but the Senate has approved $6.9 billion. The difference, slightly more than $3 billion, is tiny when compared to the budget in general. But if both parties dig in their heels and refuse to budge, it will shut down the government. Adding to the mess is the fact that Congress is supposed to be in recess next week -- which means there is only a couple of days to get the continuing resolution passed.

So far, neither side is giving in. The House Republicans won't raise their allocation without cuts to equal the raise, and Senate Democrats say they will send the bill back if FEMA is not fully funded. It looks like brinkmanship has become the new norm for our government.

The Republicans should fold this time. I know they are trying to make a point about government spending, but Democrats have given in to massive cuts recently, far more than the funding they want for FEMA. And I don't think the American people are going to be happy with Republicans making a whipping boy out of FEMA (and the thousands of victims they help every year).

There are lots of areas of government that Republicans and Democrats can argue about funding, but FEMA is not one of them. Disasters strike without warning, and the victims of those disasters cannot wait around while Congress argues about spending.