THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 17, 1995 TAG: 9506160019
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
The Republican revolution has run into reality. President Clinton has exercised his first veto. The Republican majority in the House was unable to pass legislation to repeal the War Powers act that the GOP incessantly criticized when it was in the minority. Annoying thought it may be, the system is working.
The government designed in 1787 is suppose to make it almost impossible to go to extremes or rush off half-cocked. We have a government built more for gridlock than for joy rides.
Clinton vetoed a $16.5 billion rescission bill because he objected to 10 percent of its contents. He said the Republicans were cutting education in order to preserve pork and proposed alternative cuts of $1.4 billion.
Republicans huffed and puffed but eventually had to admit they didn't have the votes to override so would have to sit down with the president and compromise. It won't be the last time, and constructive compromise can be better for the country than unproductive stalemate. It is also worth noting how much the debate has shifted to the right. The dispute is over what cuts to make in order to shrink government.
On another issue, the Republican unity that made the first 100 days possible broke down. The War Power Resolution was passed in 1973 to limit the ability of a president to get us into war by requiring congressional approval of any foreign use of troops that lasts longer than 60 days.
It has never been invoked but has long been despised by Republicans as a potential brake by congressional Democrats on the foreign-policy freedom of action of GOP presidents. Now, however, the tables have been turned. There's a Democratic president and a Republican Congress. Suddenly, congressional curbs and snaffles didn't look so bad - 44 Republicans joined Democrats in refusing to repeal the measure.
These developments don't mean that plentiful Republican reforms won't go forward, but they are a reminder that there are too many checks and balances built into this system to permit real revolution to occur. It is designed for cautious evolution instead. Partisan zealots may bemoan that state of affairs. Prudent citizens will not. by CNB