No time for campaign ‘gotchas.’ Members of Congress are back from summer recess and need to hit the ground running if they intend to pass the 12 pending budget bills before the fiscal year runs out on Oct. 1. The only spending bill that has been sent to the president thus far is the Pentagon’s. Congress is also facing the urgent need to overhaul the nation’s intelligence-gathering operations.

But that’s not stopping congressional leaders from playing some election-year games by resurrecting bills for the sole purpose of putting their opponents on the spot as they head out to campaign for re-election.

News reports indicate that floor votes will be held on such divisive issues as abortion, same-sex marriage, flag desecration, the Pledge of Allegiance and lawsuit limitations. All of these issues were raised earlier in the session and failed to find enough support.

Congress should focus on the nation’s top priorities – the budget and security – and leave the rest for the campaign trail.