Why do legislators always wait till the end of the year to appropriate tax dollars?
Asked by: elvin from Boston, MA
Asked of All U.S. Congress on Nov 20th, 2007
Answer from: U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT)
This last year was the worst year I have ever seen for pushing things off to the end. And part of it was an effort on the part of leadership to attach non-germaine issues that were very controversial to pieces of legislation that were not controversial. So I really think it was a lack of organization this past year.
Answered on Jan 22nd, 2008
Answer from: U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Well there are certain things like the spending bills that simply have to be done and at the end of a session everyone is tired and wants to go home and it’s easier to get things done that way. And usually we do some pretty bad things at the end of the session. But I think people get tired and realize it needs to be done and we procrastinate at the end of the year, and it just ends up that way.
Answered on Jan 22nd, 2008
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Partisan Politics
Posted by elvin on January 22nd, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Clearly, Rep. Bishop is playing partisan politics. I don't follow Congress all that closely, but I know that in years past (especially when Congress was lead by Republicans) Congress waited till late in the year to appropriate tax dollars.
At least Flake is being honest, stating that it is a shame that Congress waits so long, because everyone is tired. The unfortunate result is that "we do some pretty bad things at the end of the session."
What I'd really like to hear is what Flake things some of those bad things are.