The Hill reported yesterday that Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said the Democrats will not present a 2012 budget until deficit talks led by Vice President Biden have concluded.
Power Line cited some of the history of the Democrats and budgets:
This is why Kent Conrad, Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, ignored the law that requires his committee to produce a budget by April 15. He has now announced that a scheduled markup of a budget bill has been deferred indefinitely. Today, ranking member Jeff Sessions said:
"I appreciate that Senator Conrad has recognized the serious concerns that I, my Republican colleagues, and millions of Americans have over the decision of the Democrat-led Senate to not pass a budget in the last 750 days, to not present a budget at all this year, and to not even allow the budget process to go forward. However, today's announcement does not ease my concern nor, I would imagine, the concern now felt by people throughout this country. It seems Senate Democrats are desperately trying to avoid having to present a budget to the American people. They know that the big spenders in their caucus prevent them from bringing forward a credible plan that both their party and the country can support.
"... Today's announcement is just another excuse for delay--delay with no end in sight.
"Nothing can change the fact that as long as Democrats retain the majority in the Senate--the majority they asked the American people to confer upon them--it is their responsibility, as required by statute, to publicly present their budget to the American people. ... Once produced, the budget must be available for amendment, debate, and floor action as provided by law. ...
"Sooner or later every Senator will have to stand and be counted."
I think it is becoming very obvious that the Democrats do not want to stand and be counted--they would rather let the Republicans suggest solutions so that the Democrats can attack them.
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