G.O.P. Is Divided as Budget Bills Start Piling Up

[DonViejo]

WASHINGTON — In their first major test of governing this year, Republicans stumbled, faltered — and nearly shut down the Department of Homeland Security.

And that vote may have been the easy one.

In April, physicians who treat Medicare patients face a drastic cut in pay. In May, the Highway Trust Fund runs dry. In June, the charter for the federal Export-Import Bank ceases to exist. Then in October, across-the-board spending cuts return, the government runs out of money — and the Treasury bumps up against its borrowing limit.

All will require congressional action, and while many of these measures used to be pushed through in an almost unthinking bipartisan ritual, there is no such thing as simple in Congress anymore.

more
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/09/us/politics/after-first-budget-measure-fissures-show-in-republican-caucus.html?_r=0

[riversedge]

1. Republican congress equals monthy shut down crisis mode so far.