Principles Over Politics?

As I discussed in detail last week, the United States Senate recently passed cloture on their $15 billion jobs bill. In a bipartisan 62-30 vote, the chamber passed their proposal that included a payroll tax break for businesses that hire unemployed workers and an extension of unemployed benefits and subsidies for the jobless – a provision that the nonpartisan CBO deemed one of the most effective ways to boost job growth. Additionally, the jobs bill included an extension of the so-called “doc fix” so that the physicians will not experience the +21 percent drop in compensation for treating Medicare patients, and it included additional funding for roads and highways. So, it seemed that following the Senate cloture vote, final passage of the jobs bill was imminent. Everyone, it seemed, was ready except for Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY).

A two-term Senator and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Jim Bunning has always been one of the more conservative members in Congress, and this week he had a chance to prove his convictions. Following the cloture vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) did the usual thing and set forth a vote to finalize the jobs package by passing the measure through unanimous consent, a procedure that allows a bill to be swiftly approved without an up or down vote. Passing any bill by invoking unanimous consent is standard procedure in Congress and is not out of the ordinary since cloture has already been approved.  But Bunning – who is not running for reelection in November – chose to object to unanimous consent and literally halted the process. By objecting to “UC,” bills are sent back to the committee and then recalled to the chamber floor, a process that can take a month or more. With the package including essential provisions for the nation’s unemployed and doctors, the Senate and the American people did not have time to wait.  Bunning not only exasperated Democrats but also his Republican colleagues. 

Any move that allows unemployment benefits to expire is typically seen as political suicide, but Bunning chose to value principles over politics. While agreeing with nearly all of the provisions within the jobs bill, the Kentucky Senator objected because the measure would have increased the federal deficit and did not include an offset on the debt created. With President Obama and the Democrats insisting that all new legislation include a pay-as-you-go (PayGo) philosophy, the rhetoric did not fit the concept.  Though Bunning eventually caved to bi-partisan pressure and allowed a 78-19 up-or-down vote of the bill, his move created an interesting undertone – is it more important to support a set of principles or put politics ahead of what you believe?  So goes Washington and much of the debate in capitols around the world.

Regardless of where you stand on Bunning’s surprise objection towards the jobs bill, his decision highlights the growing US debt that continues to build. Though the provisions of the bill were some of the best-intentioned measures for the American people, his stubbornness on principles needs to be considered. While Senator Bunning clearly did not pick the appropriate bill to make his point, he illustrated that doing the right thing is never easy.  The concern I have is that too many of our leaders are stepping into positions of principle – on either the left or right – and not considering the compromise, no matter how good.  Making a stand is important.  Making a stand where you build alliances and partners is better.  Making a change that is good for everyone is great.  Shouldn’t we strive for great rather than just important?  This applies to all of our leaders.  I wish they would consider it.

Kevin Fickenscher, MD

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