And it keeps piling on....How NOT to Run Congress

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the House leadership is crumbling. After last week's little delay of the "Moral Disaster of Monumental Proportions" (well, come to think of it, that occurs every day these Rs are in leadership, but I'm referring specifically to the bill to cut entitlement programs like Food Stamps and Medicaid), now they're having trouble passing the annual spending bills b/c of the draconian cuts to social services. More below the fold...

From the Washington Post [emphasis added]:

Legislation to fund many of the nation's health, education and social programs went down to a startling defeat in the House Thursday, led by Democrats who said cuts in the bill hurt some of America's neediest people.

The 224-209 vote against the $142.5 billion spending bill disrupted plans by Republican leaders to finish up work on this year's spending bills and cast doubt on whether they would have the votes to pass a major budget-cutting bill also on the day's agenda.   

Democrats, unanimous in opposing the legislation, said it included the first cut in education funding in a decade and slashed spending for several health care programs. "It betrays our nation's values and its future," said House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland. "It is neither compassionate, conservative nor wise."

Republicans said they may have lost votes because this year's bill, down $1.5 billion from last year, included no special projects or earmarks for lawmakers. "You take those out and you lose the incentive," said Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., who voted for the bill.

Twenty-two Republicans voted against the measure, many of them moderates who also are swing votes on the budget-cutting legislation.

Aww....the poor little repugs lost some of their earmarks (that little gift came from Sen. Specter) and poor Blunt is just about as effective as his name indicates. What's interesting, of course, is what it implies about how the game really is played - i.e. that votes are that easily bought (which I guess we knew, but c'mon this lays it bare). When you take the candy away and put them face to way with the immorality of their budgeting...hmmm...strange things happen.

Oh, and get this gem from Appropriations Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-CA):

“It’s time for us to reform government,” Lewis said.

In case you're wondering about the contents of the bill, well....let's see:

• Head Start. The $6.8 billion early education program would be flat funded or would receive a small increase - not enough to cover the increased cost of providing services due to inflation.

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance. Despite predictions of record energy prices this winter, the conference agreement would maintain LIHEAP funding at last year's level. The agreement funds regular LIHEAP at $2 billion and $183 million in contingency funds that could be released at the President's request. This is far below the $5.1 billion authorized by Congress, and ignores the $1 billion increase for LIHEAP included in the House budget reconciliation bill.

• Adult and youth workforce training. Grants for adult training (WIA) are cut $31 million (3.4 percent) below last year's level. This is the lowest level of funding in a decade. Grants for youth training (WIA) are cut $36 million (3.7 percent) below last year's level.

• No Child Left Behind. For the first time since education reform in 2001, the conference agreement would cut $784 million (3.2 percent) from No Child Left Behind. The current level is $13.1 billion below the authorized level. Funding for Title I, which directs federal money to low-income school districts, is increased just $100 million rather than the $603 million recommended by the President.

• Pell Grants. The conference agreement does not raise the maximum Pell Grant by an additional $100, as promised by the President. The maximum grant of $4,050 will be frozen for the fourth consecutive year.

So, this forces them back to the negotiating table and means that the poor congress critters <gasp> might have to stay in session a little longer this year and earn some of their salary. Amazing what a few indictments, some bad poll numbers, and a little bit of Dem backbone can do!

Peace y'all.