by Ram ben Ze'ev
In the hallowed halls of the U.S. Congress, where the solemn duty of budgeting for the nation's well-being is carried out, a long-standing and shameful tradition has taken root: the continuing resolution (CR). What was intended to be a last-ditch measure for national emergencies, such as war or severe economic collapse, has become a crutch—one that not only undermines the integrity of the legislative process but directly harms the American people.
Continuing resolutions, by definition, are temporary funding measures that keep the federal government functioning when Congress fails to pass appropriations bills by the fiscal deadline. Their purpose is to prevent a government shutdown during truly dire circumstances—times of war, national disaster, or extreme economic crisis. But in recent years, these resolutions have become routine, a lazy substitute for doing the real work of budgeting and planning. The frequency with which they are used today is nothing short of a national scandal, and the consequences for Americans are devastating.
Abusing the System: When Emergency Measures Become the Norm
Historically, continuing resolutions were supposed to be reserved for emergencies—situations where immediate and unexpected expenditures were required. Wars, natural disasters, or other unforeseen crises could make it impossible for Congress to finalize a full budget on time. But we are not in a state of war. There are no sudden, unexpected national calamities to justify the endless stream of CRs that Congress now routinely passes.
Instead of doing their jobs and making tough decisions on spending priorities, lawmakers have grown accustomed to kicking the can down the road. This habitual use of CRs not only signals a failure of leadership but it also prevents long-term planning and financial stability. By refusing to pass a real, coherent budget, Congress is not just neglecting its duties—it is abdicating them entirely.
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The Cost to the American People
The consequences of this fiscal irresponsibility are dire, and ordinary Americans are paying the price. Continuing resolutions maintain funding levels from previous years without regard to current economic needs or priorities. This stagnant approach leads to underfunding in crucial areas, uncertainty in government operations, and financial instability that trickles down to the everyday lives of citizens.
Is it any wonder that Americans today are struggling to make ends meet? The failure to pass proper budgets means essential programs suffer from unpredictable funding, leading to gaps in services and inefficiencies that hurt the most vulnerable. People can no longer afford groceries because inflation is exacerbated by congressional dysfunction. Families have to make heartbreaking choices between heating their homes or putting food on the table because Congress has failed to address energy costs and inflation in a comprehensive manner.
This is no accident. It is the direct result of a broken system where lawmakers refuse to make the hard decisions, and instead, opt for temporary, band-aid solutions. And it is not just financial insecurity that results—this irresponsibility sends a clear message to the American people: Congress has prioritized its own political convenience over the well-being of the citizens it was elected to serve.
Speaker Mike Johnson's Failure of Leadership
This failure of leadership is nowhere more apparent than in the actions of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. Since taking the gavel, Speaker Johnson has had the opportunity to lead Congress in making the hard fiscal decisions that could stabilize the nation’s economy and restore the trust of the American people. Yet, rather than forging a path toward a responsible, comprehensive budget, Johnson has allowed the continued use of CRs, avoiding the difficult compromises necessary to pass a real budget. By refusing to confront the political gridlock and make tough spending decisions, he has perpetuated the very dysfunction that has left so many Americans struggling. Speaker Johnson’s unwillingness to step up and guide the House toward meaningful fiscal reform is a profound failure of leadership, one that is leaving the country in financial limbo.
A Scandal That Cannot Continue
We must be clear: the habitual use of continuing resolutions is not just a minor procedural issue—it is a scandal of national proportions. The continued reliance on CRs is a symptom of a deeper rot in the system, where political gridlock and short-term thinking dominate, and where long-term planning and responsibility are abandoned.
This pattern must not be allowed to continue. Continuing resolutions were meant for emergencies, not as a default tool for everyday governance. Congress needs to face up to the fact that using them year after year is a profound failure of its constitutional responsibilities. It’s not just bad governance—it’s a betrayal of the American people.
Time for Real Reform
It is time to demand accountability. Americans deserve a Congress that takes its duty to pass a proper budget seriously. There should be clear and strict limits on the use of continuing resolutions. These measures should be reserved exclusively for true national emergencies—times of war, natural disasters, or unforeseen economic collapse.
Lawmakers need to be forced to work together, make compromises, and pass comprehensive budgets that address the nation’s needs in real time. The pattern of procrastination and avoidance that has come to define Congress must end. The stakes are too high to allow this cycle of dysfunction to continue.
If we want to restore faith in our government and relieve the financial burdens crushing so many Americans, we need real leadership. Continuing resolutions are a sign of failure, not a solution, and the time to put an end to this scandalous practice is now.
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Bill White (Ram ben Ze'ev) is CEO of WireNews Limited, Mayside Partners Limited, MEADHANAN Agency, Kestrel Assets Limited, SpudsToGo Limited and Executive Director of Hebrew Synagogue