President Bush strongly suggested Congress pass a highway bill that does not exceed $284 billion. The House complied.
The Senate? It approved a $295 billion bill on May 17.
What’s the extra $11 billion for anyway? Hasn’t Sen. Robert Byrd been able to pave West Virginia yet?
Actually, it’s the Republicans who were largely behind the added dollars, with the Democrats urging them on. The approval margin was overwhelming: 89-11.
But if the GOP isn’t going to demonstrate a little fiscal restraint, then who is?
The media and the political pundits get all warm and fuzzy over bipartisan bills. They seem to think that if both sides vote for something it demonstrates leadership, negotiation and compromise. But it can also mean that both sides are fleecing or pandering to the public.
There are more than 4,000 earmarks for special projects in the House bill alone that total $12.4 billion. And don’t think that every dollar is for critical infrastructure needs.
Big piles of other people’s money will be spent on such items as snowmobile trails, museums, a performing arts center, renovation of a historic depot and bus station, and much more that would be off limits to a Congress that acts within its constitutional limits.
And get this: $1 billion will be spent to encourage children to walk and ride their bicycles to school. This is a pet project of Democrat Rep. James Oberstar, who represents Minnesota, where walking and biking to school might not be a good idea for much of the school year.
The fact is that the Senate is thumbing its nose at the president. But where there is “challenge” there is also “opportunity.”
President Bush has yet to veto a bill. This could be his big opportunity reign in the “big spenders” if they don’t give him a bill geared to his budget.