Among Mitch McConnell's strange strategies for leading, besides wasting oodles of time forcing Democrats to vote repeatedly on the same failed legislation, is the idea of breaking apart bit, must-pass fiscal measures. Republicans have a better chance of making big cuts and avoiding new taxes if they deal with issues separately, the theory goes. But because McConnell does like to spend so much time on highly politicized votes, all that critical stuff gets pushed to the side and they end up facing what they're facing now—not just an immediate potential crisis in keeping government going after September 30, but a big amalgam of
must-pass fiscal legislation converging by mid-November.
Congress could hardly have orchestrated the coming storm any better had they intended to: Democrats and Republicans are now aiming to change the new shutdown date from Oct. 1 to mid-November, which is almost exactly when the Treasury Department is expected to run out of "extraordinary" measures to stave off the need to raise the debt ceiling, according to sources in both parties.
Highway policy expires on Oct. 29, yet Congress built in wiggle room that could buy more time without another infusion of funds. And those pesky tax extenders with benefits for mass transit users and homeowners still need retroactive action to give taxpayers their breaks for 2015.
Moreover, Republicans will need Democratic votes to do any of those things, particularly raising the debt ceiling, which could trigger a rebellion from conservatives if spending isn’t cut commensurately. Perhaps the only way avoid a default is by stitching together a coalition of defense hawks, appropriators and pro-infrastructure Republicans, along with most Senate Democrats. The thinking is that they would come together on a broad budget deal that raises the debt ceiling, makes cuts in some areas while increasing spending in others, and clinches a long-term deal on highway spending.
That's all leaping ahead, assuming that he can somehow avoid a government shutdown in the immediate term as the fight of Planned Parenthood funding shows no sign of abating in the House. House Speaker Boehner and McConnell both are going to need to negotiate with Democrats to get past the immediate roadblock of a continuing resolution to keep the government's doors open and to smooth the way for everything else. But, so far, they're not even talking to Democrats. That leaves Democrats to
talk among themselves.
President Obama is meeting with Democratic leaders on budget priorities Thursday, strategizing on how to keep the government open and, given how much Republicans are going to be relying on them to get all this business done, what to demand in return for their cooperation. Republican leaders want desperately to avoid any more shutdowns and any more crises on their watch. That gives Democrats an awful lot of leverage. Provided McConnell and Boehner can get their shit together in time to figure all this out.