Yesterday, the U. S. Congress voted to increase its annual operating budget during the worst economic recession since World War II. The senate approved the bill with a vote of 62 to 38. Susan Collins of Maine was the only Republican senator to vote for the budget increase.

Surprisingly, there was very little media coverage of this irresponsible vote. Perhaps, a few billion is not news worthy when President Obama and the Democrats are already spending trillions on government bailouts and takeovers.

At a time of record unemployment and massive national debt, this increase will cost U. S. taxpayers nearly $5 billion. If increasing its budget during a recession is not bad enough, Congress decided to inject into the bill some pork and political paybacks as well. 

Senator Ben Nelson (D-OK), chairman of the senate subcommittee that crafted this bill, got the only earmark - $200,000 for an Oklahoma museum.  According to Senator Nelson's spokesperson, Jake Thompson, "This is a fiscally responsible bill."

Politico reported that the funding includes a $500,000 "pilot" postcard program requested by Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA). The program would allow senators to send postcards to constituents about upcoming town hall meetings. New congressional spending also includes salary increases, a 4.3 percent budget increase to VP Joe Biden's senate office, technology upgrades and building repairs.  

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) could not hide his disgust with the Democrats' largess and hubris.  He said, "People are having trouble making mortgage payments, putting food on the table..and we go on spending."  Senator McCain continued scolding the Democrats by asking, "Is there any member of the Senate that needs to send out a postcard to tell our constituents that we're having a town hall meeting? Really?" 

Well said Senator McCain!