Editorial: Shutdown avoided, but some Virginia representatives disappoint

After watching the circus of the absurd (aka Congress) over the weekend, is there any wonder why the public’s trust in government is at the lowest levels in American history? Lawmakers managed to stave off a federal shutdown with minutes to spare, but more than likely just delayed another faceoff over these same issues until later in the year. Virginians — including many residents of Hampton Roads — may breathe a sigh of relief for being spared the financial hardship that would have resulted without a deal. But it’s abundantly clear that some lawmakers, including some who represent the commonwealth, care more about the spotlight than the well-being of their constituents.

That is shameful and short-sighted. Virginians have every right to expect better from Washington, and should keep this cynical recklessness fresh in mind when they head to the polls for federal elections next year. That the federal government begins a new fiscal year Oct.

1 is no secret or surprise. And anyone with a basic understanding of Washington’s operations — which should include all 535 members of Congress — knows that to keep everything up and running requires the passage of 12 appropriation bills that set funding levels of federal agencies. The Constitution’s origination clause specifies that all revenue generation bills must originate in the House.

With Republicans holding a slim majority, responsibility for developing those bills sits squarely on their shoulders. Why, then, did it take until Sept. 30 — hours before the deadline — for GOP leadership to introduce a stop-gap spending bill that could pass the chamber? Politics, of course.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy owes his position to conservative extremists who sought to use their influence to affect this debate, and they did so effectively — almost to the point of suspending federal operations. On Friday, McCarthy introduced a measure in an effort to appease that faction — featuring 30% cuts to federal agencies except defense, homeland security and veterans affairs — but still couldn’t win support from his emboldened right flank. Virginia, with the second-largest population of federal employees in the nation, would have been among the hardest hit should that have come to pass.

Exempting defense might have softened the blow, but not nearly enough for a state that depends heavily on federal spending. Yet even seemingly moderate Republicans — including local Reps. Jen Kiggans and Rob Wittman — voted for that continuing resolution.

One wonders what their constituents at NASA, to use one example, feel about their congressional representative voting for 30% cuts to their agency. Ultimately, McCarthy saw no way forward with the extremists and on Saturday introduced a different stop-gap measure to hold federal funding steady for 47 days. The bill won strong bipartisan support — imagine that! — in the House, as a vast majority of members recognized the folly of forcing a government shutdown.

Most, but not all. Three members of the Virginia House delegation — Reps. Ben Cline, Bob Good and Morgan Griffith — all voted against the measure and, effectively, to prolong the impasse.

That would have been to the detriment of the commonwealth, but they were undaunted. That’s not a revelation, of course. Those three are unabashed conservatives, hostile toward moderates and unwilling to compromise, even on a bill that would benefit their constituents.

The make-up of their districts means they can cater to primary voters while being insulated from the wrath of general election voters. But a legislature that is governed from the extremes, be it left or right, does not serve the best interests of the American people. It certainly doesn’t serve the commonwealth.

And so long as primary voters essentially determine the make-up of the House, that will continue. Concerns about the federal government’s finances are justified, but they won’t be resolved through brinkmanship, threats and grandstanding. Congress bought itself a reprieve to find some common-sense solutions that appeal to the broad majority of Americans and their representatives.

Will they use that time productively? Virginians can hope, but shouldn’t hold their breath. .