Most conservatives are bummed about the omnibus spending bill just passed and signed, including us at COTTonLINE. The problem is structural/procedural and has to do with the Senate's self-imposed rule requiring 60 "ayes" to move a bill to a vote.
It is rare that one party in our divided nation has that many seats in the Senate. And it isn't all that common for every last member of one party to toe the "party line" on issues. Current examples of rebels include Rand Paul and John McCain.
I remember both Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush decided to sign overstuffed appropriations bills. It was the only way they could get Democrats to go along with the increases in defense spending they believed our nation required to stay safe.
Now Donald Trump has learned the same lesson. It is one virtually every conservative president will face so long as the Senate holds to the 60 vote requirement.
Interestingly, that requirement is one Mitch McConnell could change with 51 Republican votes. He chooses not to do so because he wants bargaining power the next time the GOP is the minority party. If the rule is ever overturned, it is likely gone forever.
