I work on Capitol Hill as I have mentioned a few times in the past. I am not much for politics but working here as made me become more aware of what goes on here, especially when it involves the quality of my life.

I have been anxiously awaiting for something to happen since July. This something directly affects my quality of life and my personal finances. Everything had a green light and things were moving forward until it was time for Congress to approve the budget for fiscal year 2008. For those who don't know, the government runs on a fiscal year which starts October 1st and ends September 30th. Of course a battle waged between the Democrats and the Republicans and of course the president himself. No agreement could be met so they passed a continuing resolution (CR) bill until they could settle their differences. Continuing resolution is basically allowing the government to continue running and a freeze is put on hold for spending, hiring, and other things government agencies do that rely on a budget.

The battle seems to be the Democratic controlled Congress does not want to give President Bush any more money for the war unless there is a time line set for getting our troops home. Bush does not agree with this and wants his money. Congress also wants to increase funding for various things that they promised to fix when they were elected last year. Bush doesn't think so. So they duke it out. We are now on our 4th continuing resolution and it is frustrating me. The third CR was supposed to end tomorrow, the 21st. The enormous budget has been approved by both the Senate and the House. Bush got his war money and Congress had to cut funding to various pet projects but put in provisions for emergency spending. Now the Bill is at the White House awaiting Bush's signature but a 4th CR was put into place set to end on the 31st. So my life hangs in the balance hoping Bush does not disagree with the spending bill. But i am not the only one. If this thing gets vetoed a lot of government contractors will lose their jobs due to no funding probably starting in February. Apparently the U.S. Army and the Marines will run out of money by summer if some sort of agreement is not met on the budget. This is not good considering I am a contractor at the moment.

Here I sit anxiously hoping Bush has some common decency and signs off on this bill. Congress did its best to meet Bush's demands and to help out the American people. I'll keep my fingers crossed and I hope you do the same.