Shutdown-free options

Does anyone really want another government shutdown? A congressional committee has been tasked to negotiate an agreement on how to best secure our southern border. This committee is both bicameral (members from both houses of Congress) and bipartisan (having members from both major political parties).

If this committee, after conscientious deliberation, decides on a workable solution, it then goes to both houses of Congress. If each house approves the proposal, the bill then goes to the president for his signature.

What if the president vetoes the bill, or simply refuses to sign - choosing instead to again shut down our government? Our representatives in Congress would still have remedies: #1, Congress can override his veto by voting on it again, and passing it by a 2/3 majority in each house; or #2, if he neither signs it affirmatively nor vetoes it and simply leaves it unsigned for ten days while Congress is in session it becomes law!

Being proud of being an American includes knowing how our government works. This should be a required class in every school. We need this knowledge so we can be responsible, participating citizens and also know what we should expect from those we elect to office.

Holly Ann O’Connell

Coville