After Three Days, Fed'l Gov't Back in Business

Last week, Congressional candidate John Morganelli made clear that, while he supported a stand-alone DACA law, he was opposed to closing down the government over the issue at this time. He's an adult. He understands that Authoritarian Donald Trump's boot of the dreamers only takes effect on March 5.There's still time to negotiate. But as Charlie Dent will tell Morganelli, the number of grown-ups in Congress is dropping every day. So as the clock struck midnight on Saturday, the government shutdown.

Though Trump breaks his word on just about everything and was totally irresponsible, all that was sought was a brief extension. No dreamers would be deported. So this is on the Democrats. True, the GOP controls the government, but not completely. Sixty votes are needed to end debate in the senate, and that's how a minority was able to stop the government from working.

After bringing the government to a halt over the failure to do something for young immigrants in danger of being deported, Democrats folded after three days.

Their actions were premature and childish.

In the past, I've been highly critical of the tea-party segment of the Republican party for being too willing to pick up heir marbles and go home unless they get their way. To my knowledge, this is the first time that Democrats have threatened to hold their breath until they die.

Of course, Donald Trump is taking credit. I personally think that Democrats realized that, right now, they look like asses.

A shutdown might be necessary if Congress fails to enact protections by March 5.

After the Senate voted to open for business today, the House followed suit quickly, and Congressman Charlie Dent was one of them.

In addition to funding government operations through February 8th, the legislation includes a six-year extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through fiscal year 2023, and relief from three taxes imposed by the Affordable Care Act:
- Medical Device Tax (2 years);
- Health Insurance Tax (1 year);
- Excise tax on high-cost employer coverage (“Cadillac” tax) (2 years).

Federal employees — both military and civilian — who were furloughed during the three-day government shutdown will be retroactively paid.

"I am pleased that this bill provides critical funding for CHIP, which is good news for Pennsylvania’s children and parents, as well as its health providers," said Dent. "Additionally, this bill included a two-year delay in the implementation of the medical device tax, which would adversely impact companies in the 15th Congressional district. The medical device tax kills jobs, stifles innovation, and raises prices for patients. Although this two-year delay is important, I will continue to fight for a full repeal of this destructive tax.”

Dent warned that a continuing resolution is only a "temporary solution."

"As a body, Congress will not get off this treadmill of continuing resolutions until a bipartisan, bicameral budget agreement is reached, and that agreement will not be reached until there is an agreement on DACA and border security. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as House and Senate leadership, to find a legislative solution for these issues."