The annual congressional budget clown show has come to a temporary end. And what are the results so far? Millions of our own citizens who work for the government have missed their pay checks, millions more who receive food assistance have had to tighten their belts and rely on community food banks, tens of thousands of travelers have had flights cancelled or delayed, people around the world look at the United States and shake their heads in dismay at our inability to address really serious issues, and virtually American alternates between disgust and rage to think that we actually elect and pay these 535 people to pass a budget every year.
The “temporary funding measure” that the Senate finally passed to break the government shutdown impasse would fund all existing government programs at their current level through Jan. 30, 2026, (sort of like the original “Clean Continuing Resolution”), reverse the reductions in force implemented since Oct. 1, provide back pay for all federal workers who have been furloughed, and fund the Department of Agriculture (think SNAP) and Veterans Affairs through the end of fiscal year 2026.
So far, so good. Then why the YGBSM comment? Because this compromise would also fund legislative branch operations through the end of fiscal year 2026, guaranteeing that all the performers in the clown show and their staffs continue to get paid even if ordinary government workers do not. Let that sink in: They are guaranteed to get paid for not doing their jobs while ordinary government workers may again not get paid for actually doing their jobs.
It’s our own fault. We elect them, again and again, to perform in the annual clown show.
Ken Miller
Park City