The 2011 Budget Setup

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Townhall:

By failing to pass a 2011 budget last fall while still in charge of the House, Senate and presidency, the Democratic Party set up the potential for the Democrats to blame the Republicans for what they did not do last year when they controlled all three entities.

How could this happen?

Who is responsible for the U.S. budget? The president? The Senate? The House of Representatives?

The president submits his "budget," but it is only a recommendation, a suggestion or wish list of what the administration would like to see raised and spent.

All bills that raise money through taxes and borrowing and then spend that money must begin in the House of Representatives as outlined in Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution. This is by design. House members are elected every two years. Senators are elected every six years, and the president is elected every four years. Additionally, there are 435 House members, 100 senators and only one president.

The House's more frequent elections combined with the fact that it comprises more members results in it being the government body whose will most closely reflects that of the American people.

The people spoke clearly in the 2010 elections by electing a Republican House of Representatives. This reflects a desire by the people for smaller government and fiscal responsibility.