Yesterday, the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform failed to pass even modest legislation to change current budgetary procedures. More ambitious ideas were set aside weeks ago when it was clear they couldn't pass. The committee will therefore cease operations with nothing concrete to show for its work.
Expectations were never very high, so this result is not particularly surprising. Still, the committee's failure should be seen as yet another indication that political polarization is making it very difficult for House and Senate members to engage in the normal give-and-take of a functioning democracy.
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