Congressional Culture of Corruption 31 - The “But For Rule”

The so-called bi-partisan “gang of six” proposal is a backroom agreement between six ethically challenged politicians. It does nothing but raise the debt ceiling. How so?

Part of the draft proposal calls for “enacting a comprehensive deficit reduction plan that includes discretionary and entitlement savings as well as fundamental tax reform.” It requires various committees to report legislation within six months that would deliver real deficit savings in entitlement programs over ten years.

For example, the Finance Committee would (not “shall”) permanently reform or replace the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate formula ($298 billion) and fully offset the cost with health savings, would (not “shall”) find an additional $202/$85 billion in health savings, and would (not “shall”) maintain the essential health care services that the poor and elderly rely upon. Here’s the rub: the “but for rule.”

But for the absence of consequences for failure, there are no incentives to succeed. What happens when the Finance Committee fails to achieve its objectives? Absolutely nothing. The so-called “gang of six” kicked the proverbial can down the road. Obama receives his debt ceiling increases. And the American people are screwed one more time.

The “gang of six” proposal calls for the Armed Services Committee to find $80 billion. What happens when it fails to find $80 billion? What are the consequences?

The “gang of six” proposal calls for the Health, Education, labor and Pensions Committees to find $70 billion. What happens when these committees fail to find $70 billion? What are the consequences?

The “gang of six” proposal calls for the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committees to find $65 billion. What happens when these committees fail to find $65 billion? What are the consequences?

The “gang of six” proposal calls for the Agriculture Committee to find $11 billion. What happens when it fails to find $11 billion? What are the consequences?

The “gang of six” proposal calls for the Commerce Committee to find $11 billion. What happens when it fails to find $11 billion? What are the consequences?

The “gang of six” proposal calls for the Energy Committee to find at least $6 billion. What happens when it fails to find $6 billion plus? What are the consequences?

The “gang of six” proposal calls for the Judiciary Committee to find an unspecified amount through medical malpractice reform. What happens when this committee fails? What are the consequences?

The entire so-called “gang of six” proposal is replete with abdications of responsibility by these Senators. It is nothing but the old “shell game” being played in the Senate.

If there are no consequences for failure, there are no incentives for success. At the very least, failure to achieve the objectives listed should result in committee chairmen and committee members being expelled from the Senate.