The words, “behind closed doors” should send a shiver down the spines of the American people equal to the bite of winter winds coming off the Potomac in Washington, D.C. Too often hope springs from members of Congress, from both parties, meeting “behind closed doors” in order to “hammer out” a deal. In reality, the result usually is members emerging from behind those closed doors with a shoulder shrug and a declaration of, “We just couldn’t get it done.”
The problem with not doing the people’s business in front of the people on the floor of the House and the Senate — as the founders envisioned — is that there is no accountability for what happens behind those closed doors.
Thursday, as millions of Americans faced uncertain personal and financial futures in the midst of the worst week yet for the pandemic, members of Congress scurried to catch flights out of Washington while their so-called leaders emerged from behind closed doors to deliver the news.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell flatly declared that GOP leaders see no path to an agreement on the existing bipartisan, bicameral proposal for a COVID-19 relief package. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi had already sent House members home for the weekend.
On top of that, the government is facing another shutdown. What has emerged — from behind those closed doors — is a stopgap, continuing resolution to fund the government, which would have run out of money on Saturday, for seven more days. The short-term continuing resolution keeps spending rolling at current levels and averts a lapse in programs and services. No organization in the world can function by declaring that they will continue to spend at current levels, whether there is money to pay for it or not.
Congress has used continuing resolutions for years now, under leadership of both political parties, rather than doing the hard work and heavy lifting of passing budget and spending bills as required by the Constitution. Continuing resolutions are always agreed to behind closed doors, often in the dead of night.
Walking into those doors, elected officials often warn of dire deadlines, real and manufactured, if a deal cannot be made. When both parties emerge from behind the closed doors, the looming catastrophe is declared conquered due to the “agreement” on a continuing resolution. Citizens must know this is no victory and certainly not cooperation or compromise. It is simply a prequel to a future defeat — stinging losses that will hurt the children of the country in the future and most vulnerable of the nation now.
The solution is most simple. Throw open the doors and invite the American people in to watch. Every citizen should call on their members of Congress to demand from House and Senate party leadership that the relief package and spending bills be laid on the table in the respective chambers for discussion and debate, serious amendments, real compromise and accountable votes.
And politicians should quit shrugging their shoulders, pointing fingers and placing blame on the other party. Instead, each member of Congress should demand, of their own party leaders, that the work of the American people be done — now. Standing up to your own is far more courageous than shouting at your opponents.
We are certain that the work of the citizens of this nation can and must be done in front of the people rather than in backrooms behind closed doors. America needs a new “open door” policy. It is time to throw the doors of Congress open wide for all to see.