Here Comes the Lame Duck

Several weeks ago, we warned you that congressional leaders were setting the stage for another “lame duck” session after the November elections.

Now we have the proof.

According to press reports, House and Senate Republicans plan to pass a short-term funding bill that expires the week of December 11-14.

Rather than addressing these issues now or postponing them until next year when the newly elected Congress can tackle them, they want another lame duck.

Specifically, they want a “must-pass” funding bill to come up after the November elections so that they can turn it into a Christmas tree full of bad policies and pretend they have to pass it in order to prevent a government shutdown.

Congress could use the lame duck to increase spending, extend the Export-Import Bank corporate welfare program, create a new Internet tax, ratify the United Nations Treaty on Disabilities, and even pass amnesty.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other special interests in Washington have spent tens of millions of dollars helping the GOP establishment defeat conservatives, and they want the favor returned.

Republican leaders are too scared to pass these things before Americans go to the polls. Instead, they want to sneak them through in December when they can’t be held accountable and when most people aren’t paying attention.

They are quick to complain about President Obama delaying his executive amnesty until after the election, but they’re doing the same thing by delaying their big-spending legislative agenda until after the election.

To be clear, lame ducks are not used by one party against the other; they’re used by both parties against the American people.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) wants conservatives to turn out in November to fire Harry Reid as Majority Leader, but then he plans to turn around and let Reid continue his assault on Americans.

It’s dishonest and shameful.

STOP THE LAME DUCK

House Republicans should pass a funding bill this month that extends into next year so this issue can’t be used as a weapon against us.

Then, Senate Republicans should filibuster any attempt by Harry Reid to change the date of this resolution to create a lame duck. Republicans have the 41 votes needed to stop Reid and they should use them.

Democrats haven’t brought a single appropriations bill to the Senate floor this year. They forfeited their right to be in charge of next year’s spending.

Senate Republicans should also sign the letter written by Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT) pledging to object to all motions to pass substantive legislation during the lame duck.

Please urge Senate Republicans to sign the Cruz-Lee letter and take a principled stand against the liberal, unaccountable lame duck session.

And don’t buy their false promises to fight the Democrats after the election.

If Republicans won’t fight for our principles before the election, there is no reason to believe they will fight for them after the election.

We will be watching the actions of each senator on this important issue and make sure you know so you can hold them accountable.

We’re not going to let Republicans create a lame duck now and then pretend they had nothing to do with the disaster that occurs in December. If Republicans support a lame duck session, they own the liberal results, and we intend to hold them to it.

Thank you for helping us build a conservative Senate.

Sincerely,

Ken Cuccinelli II
President
Senate Conservatives Fund
@KenCuccinelli / @SCF