More than almost any other U.S. senator, Kent Conrad knows the importance of bipartisanship.
And as he has acknowledged many times, the only way for the U.S. government to get its debt and deficit under control is for elected officials from both parties to agree.
That's why it's puzzling to see Conrad act in what seems to be a needlessly partisan way on a core budget issue.
Here's how the Dow Jones news service explained what's happening:
"Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee are asking for time to review a fiscal 2012 budget plan that Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., could bring up for a vote as early as next week.
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"'We understand that you have already briefed your caucus on your budget plan,' Sen. Jeff Sessions, R.-Ala., the top Republican on the committee, and other Republicans wrote in a Friday letter. 'But with a mark-up only days away, it is essential that members on both sides of the aisle are given an opportunity to evaluate the proposal on behalf of those we represent.' ...
"A spokesman for Conrad wasn't immediately available to comment on the letter from Republicans.'"
Letters fly daily around the Capitol and usually aren't worthy of comment. But Friday wasn't the first time Sessions had made this request. He did so in late April, too:
"In a letter, Sen. Jeff Sessions, and the 10 other committee Republicans said the FY 2012 budget the Senate brings up might be 'the most crucial of their lives,'" The Hill newspaper's online site reported April 26.
"With that in mind, the lawmakers called on Conrad to post his proposal on the Internet at least three days before the panel marks it up and also advocated for allowing amendments to be offered in 'open public meetings.'"
When Sessions calls for transparency, he's making a reasonable request -- and it would be in Conrad's interest to grant it.
For one thing, continuing the "secret" budget proceedings opens Conrad up to harsh criticism from the right. "Conrad the Cowardly Budget Chair?" the conservative National Review Online asked in a headline. "Sessions: Conrad's trying 'end around' on budget," NewsMax.com headlined its story.
For another thing, any serious plan to reduce the deficit will need Republican votes, as mentioned above. That means Conrad should choose his fights wisely with committee Republicans -- and in this case, it's hard to see any advantage in denying the GOP request.
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Last but not least, Conrad's not even assured of solid Democratic support. "Conrad's budget angers Democratic colleagues," a Huffington Post writer reported.
Late Friday, news broke that Conrad's budget markup scheduled for early next week would be delayed. When the schedule gets back on track, Conrad should give the committee members "an opportunity to evaluate the proposal," as Sessions requested, and so put at least one budget fight to rest.
-- Tom Dennis for the Herald
