Those Other Guys Did It

Remind me: Who hasn't demonstrated an interest in solving the problem?

Cruz's it's-all-their-fault attitude wouldn't be so troubling if it were not a mainstream GOP position. House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, speaking to NBC's David Gregory on "Meet the Press," similarly blamed what he characterized as a do-nothing Senate.

"We've passed over 300 bills in the House, bills aimed at job creation, fixing problems, that are just sitting in the Senate, going nowhere because the Senate has chosen basically to not legislate and give the president a free hand," Ryan said. "Trust me, we're frustrated as much as you are, David. We've been passing solutions, we've been passing bills, and the Senate's been walking away."

Right, like from immigration reform.

Look, the Republican-controlled House and the Democratic-controlled Senate have fundamental and legitimate ideological disagreements. Some of these might not be capable of resolution. Thus, in addition to immigration reform, the Senate votes to extend emergency unemployment benefits or pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act; the House balks at following.

How is that any less recalcitrant -- "walking away" -- than the Senate declining to go along with the House's umpteenth vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, or impose abortion restrictions or extend corporate tax breaks?

And there is an alternative to walking away, which is called legislating. But that would involve compromise, elevating imperfect solutions over ideological purity, which makes it a no-go in current-day Washington.

This brings me to Republicans' legitimate gripe, with Senate Majority Leader Reid's near-absolute refusal to permit Republican amendments (or Democratic amendments, for that matter) to come up for debate. Republicans have been able to offer just 12 in the last year.

Reid justifies this practice by pointing to Republican efforts to force votes on politically treacherous topics (as if Democrats haven't done the same) and abusing the filibuster rules (a fair complaint.)

Reid needs to ease up. Republicans need to get real.

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Ruth Marcus' email address is ruthmarcus@washpost.com.