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Fort Dodge Messenger: Sen. Joni Ernst shows leadership

Passing a budget and the appropriations bills to fund the U.S. government are among the most important functions of the U.S. Congress. Anyone who has been paying even casual attention realizes, however, that getting that vital work done on time and in an orderly fashion almost never happens.

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“The most essential role Congress has is to raise revenue and fund the federal government,” Ernst said in a statement announcing that she was partnering with Perdue and Lankford to advance these recommendations. “Yet, since 1974, Congress has passed all of its appropriations bills just four times. And, in the past 20 years, we have only passed a budget resolution 11 times! Congress can do better; we owe it to the American people to complete our work on time. If we fail to meet our deadlines, we should stay at work until we get the job done.”

The Messenger strongly agrees.

In the real world, businesses and other organizations are expected to develop budgets and make spending decisions in an orderly fashion. Failing to get the work done on time just isn’t tolerated. The same should be true for Congress.

In her new role as part of the Republican leadership in the Senate for the 116th Congress (as vice chairwoman of the Senate Republican Conference) Ernst is well-positioned to champion these important reforms. We commend her for joining in this effort. Ernst is making her presence felt in the Senate. That is good for Iowa and for the nation.

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