(Photo from Twitter)
Legislative crises have becoming a Holiday Season tradition in Washington right up there with powerful officials mingling with other powerful officials at invitation-only parties. But, thankfully, a snarky soul has created a Twitter account to help us all cope.
On Tuesday evening, senior lawmakers rolled out what’s called a “cromnibus.” You may have seen it referred to on Twitter with the hashtag #CRomnibus. The term stems from the $1 trillion government-funding bill’s construction. It’s one part omnibus measure featuring 11 full-year appropriations bills and one part continuing resolution for another bill.
Talk of such a bill started late last month on Capitol Hill. And when reports surfaced late last week that House leaders had indeed decided to move a cromnibus before Congress leaves town, official Washington needed coping mechanisms.
That’s because, as we’ve learned in recent years, getting to final passage is never easy nor much fun for anyone involved, affected or covering it.
Luckily, as federal workers wait for word on whether to show up Friday and reporters linger outside ornate Capitol meeting rooms, they can catch up on what the cromnibus is up to as it awaits floor votes.
Behold the @cromnibus Twitter account. We don’t know who started it, but we salute them.
The account began tweeting on Dec. 4, starting with several re-tweets. The account describes itself as “the cronut of spending bills,” joking that it hails from “a smoky backroom.
Keep your controversial riders away from me.
— Cromnibus (@cromnibus) December 5, 2014
Five days later, such provisions were threatening to do just that before the House even came close to voting.
Here are a few favorites. So far. There will be more staking out and waiting before a Thursday night deadline for passing the cromnibus. That means the Intercepts staff is hoping for a lot more snark before the cromnibus might head over to the White House.
I'm the hero Washington needs, Igor. RT @igorbobic: Whoever made this account should be stoned with dozens of cronuts @cromnibus
— Cromnibus (@cromnibus) December 9, 2014
Mitch McConnell keeps giving me this weird look. I think he's wondering if I have a turtle conservation rider. Don't get greedy, Mitch!
— Cromnibus (@cromnibus) December 9, 2014
The president hasn't called once to check on my progress. It's like he doesn't even care. You need me as much as I need you, sir.
— Cromnibus (@cromnibus) December 9, 2014
I've seen things in the Senate Republican cloak room. Things you people wouldn't believe.
— Cromnibus (@cromnibus) December 9, 2014
Harry Reid really wants me to fall apart so he can proclaim me a "cromnibust." I'm worried about that guy.
— Cromnibus (@cromnibus) December 9, 2014
True story: My odd-numbered pages have more vowels than my even-numbered pages. Weep for the intern Boehner assigned to figure that out.
— Cromnibus (@cromnibus) December 10, 2014
Please don't filibuster me. I just want to see the world.
— Cromnibus (@cromnibus) December 9, 2014
John T. Bennett
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