Members of Congress may soon be heading home for their August recess with little to show in the way of progress on the federal budget. Congress has yet to pass a single appropriations bill to fund government agencies beyond Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.
In a recent guest column in The Kansas City Star, however, Concord Coalition Executive Director Robert L. Bixby says Washington can still avoid a fall budget crisis.
“It all depends on whether the President and congressional leaders and other elected officials decide that avoiding one is worth reaching across the aisle,” Bixby writes. One option: Joint appearances by Republican and Democratic lawmakers at public forums in both of their states or districts.
“By pairing up with someone from the other party for joint appearances, lawmakers can show their willingness to avoid a crisis, move beyond partisan talking points, and champion a reasoned, timely and mutually acceptable solution,” Bixby says. “Such leadership will set a positive example and encourage others to do the same.”
External links:
July 29 Fiscal Forum at Center for American Progress
