I also concur with Matt Yglesias’s conclusion about the present federal shutdown:
It genuinely does not make sense to ask for 60 votes for an appropriation that you can claw back with just 50. There are so many profound issues being fought over in American politics right now, but the proximate cause of the shutdown is a dumb and illogical aspect of congressional procedure.
In a way it is sensical, the writers of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 thought that a filibuster proof majority of senators who agreed to an appropriation would vote against its proposed recission in the future (so why would they need a filibuster proof majority to agree to a recission). Indeed, that’s what stayed the hand of President from proposing recissions previously.
What we saw was the limits of log-rolling; Congressional leaders can arm-twist some Congressman to a contested appropiation, but overuse can leave those appropriations vulnerable to recissions.
50? All it takes is the POTUS saying he wont spend the money anyway and there doesnt appear to be anyway to stop him.
Steve
“Those who love sausage and respect the law should never watch either being made.”