For Once, It's Not Congress That's in the Way

It's supposed to go like this: Lawmakers make the law, and the president then enforces it. That very obvious function of government might help the Republican party prevent a government shutdown later this week.

In recent instances of fiscal brinksmanship, it's been the demands of congressional factions, not the White House, that have threatened to stall the process. Sen. Ted Cruz and a band of conservatives wanted to gut Obamacare through a must-pass appropriations bill in 2013. That same year, the House GOP did not want to raise the debt ceiling without also passing spending cuts. It's simple: Members of Congress can hold up Congress.