Nothing To See Here, Move Along

For months now the Tea Partiers have held the federal budget process hostage to their insistence that expenditures be slashed to the bone. OK, we knew that when the 112th Congress took their seats, there would be a return to the shrink-the-government cries of the last Republican onslaught. "Fiscal responsibility" is the new iteration of that desire. It turns out, however, that there's much more involved.

For weeks, Republicans have insisted on reductions in federal spending. Conservative House members also have pushed for Republican policy priorities only indirectly related to the spending debate.

"This debate used to be about saving money," Reid said earlier in the day. "That is no longer the case. The 'tea party' is trying to push through its extreme social agenda — issues that have nothing to do with funding the government." ...

Yet the dispute over the size of the spending cuts receded as Republicans made a play to include their top policy priorities, which have been an strong undercurrent throughout the debate, in the budget package.

Boehner is fighting to retain provisions that were included in House-passed bill in February. Those provisions would restrict abortion services and limit the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate pollutants.

Well, what a surprise!

The current proposals gratuitously tacked on to the budget bills have absolutely nothing to do with fiscal responsibility. What they have to do with is cutting women's reproductive rights and the health of post born citizens.

Five separate provisions related to family planning and abortion were being pursued by the Republicans, including one that would prevent federal funding for Planned Parenthood, a long-sought goal for many socially conservative lawmakers.

The GOP proposed a new abortion-related provision to give states greater control over federal family planning funds under the Title X program.

Longstanding federal law already prohibits federal funds from being used for abortion, except in rare cases. The proposed change would allow governors or local officials to steer funds away from Planned Parenthood or other healthcare providers that also offer abortion services.

Why, it's almost as if the Republicans want to shut the government down. It worked so well for them the last time.

I'm getting close to the point of wanting to take a hostage, or a dozen.