Don’t Let Partisan Gridlock Stall Government Functions

The midterm elections left Republicans in control of the House (barely) and Democrats in control of the Senate (barely). Pundits are already predicting gridlock (they’re probably right), but Congress has two essential tasks before them that must not be held hostage by legislative paralysis: passing the annual appropriation bills that fund government operation, and raising the debt limit.

Congressional leaders face a choice — and it is a choice — between cooperation and chaos. If they fail to pass appropriation bills, federal agencies and the programs they administer will shut down. If they fail to raise the debt limit, the government will default on its obligations and instigate a financial crisis that will reverberate around the globe.