Passing a budget is one of their top constitutionally-mandated jobs. Yet, our Congress hasn’t been able to get it done in NINE YEARS. Every so often, we’ll hear about these “continuing resolutions” that HAVE to be passed so the old ladies, babies and puppies don’t die (because, of course, of a “government shutdown.”)

Congress KNOWS when these resolutions expire. They KNOW there is a deadline approaching. WHY do they keep waiting until the last minute?

Getting started early on a budget allows time for debate on things like cutting spending and down-sizing government. Not a lot of fans of THAT floating around Capitol Hill.

And budgets are binding, while these CRs are suggestions that can be tweaked and massaged.

Waiting until the last minute allows time to get the drivebys and the establishment in gear to scare everybody about a government shutdown. *We’ve got 48 hours to pass this spending or the government shuts down, gang. Old ladies won’t get their checks. The drivebys will say mean things.*

Time for a little reality about what really happens in a government shutdown:

[…] All non-essential government services will cease operation, and employees performing those duties will be furloughed, which means they will be forced to take an unpaid leave of absence. This typically includes: National parks

National monuments

Smithsonian museums

Maintaining federal websites

Processing of passports and VISAs

Smaller agencies of federal government, such as the Bureau of Land Management and the Federal Housing Administration will see delays on applications for things such as drilling applications and mortgage applications, respectively.

In other words, a whole lot of stuff MOST PEOPLE would not miss would close down. MORE:

[…] What essential services continue running during a government shutdown? All military branches

Federal law enforcement agencies

U.S. Postal Service

Social Security payments will still be sent out

Medicaid checks will still be delivered

VA hospitals

SNAP/food stamps are still available to those who qualify How many government employees can expect to be furloughed? During the last government shutdown in 2013 about 850,000 federal employees were furloughed, which was approximately 40 percent of the workforce. That shutdown lasted 16 days before Congress reached a deal. Once a budget deal is reached, Congress typically passes legislation to retroactively pay furloughed workers for the days missed. […]

The federal employees get a paid vacation. NOTHING IMPORTANT shuts down.

Continuing resolutions are a great method for keeping the gravy train rolling, kicking the can a little further down the road, AND hurtling our country perilously toward that cliff called bankruptcy.