One of the few major requirements facing the members of the House and Senate each year is to pass the annual spending (Appropriations) bills before October 1. October 1 is when the new fiscal year starts.

A press release from Senator Jon Tester on Thursday made its way into a few newspapers and on a few airwaves across the state touting money he and Senator Max Baucus requested from the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations committee. Of course, since neither Baucus or Tester are actually on the Appropriations Committee, they have not even cast a vote for these projects yet, but that does not stop them from trying to take credit for all that is good in the world.

Montanans who have made requests for Federal funding should not pop the cork on the champagne bottle just yet. You may have to wait a long time for the funding. It appears there’s another plan according to an article in the TheHill.com:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Thursday he expects Congress will not pass any annual spending bills this year, saying lawmakers will likely postpone that responsibility until President Bush is out of office.

Reid’s statement, while not unexpected, adds a note of finality to speculation that the Senate would act on the 12 annual appropriation bills. He also said that he doesn’t expect Congress to return for a post-election, lame-duck session.

We’ve seen many worthwhile projects here in Montana receive little or inadequate funding since the Democrats took over Congress, but the money still flows freely to the most powerful members of their party after they get around to passing the appropriations bills.

It’s a sad display of leadership when one of the few requirements Congress is supposed to accomplish each year does not happen. It’s also disappointing when our two democratic Senators don’t have the clout to get their party to pass these annual spending bills.