Things just keep getting worse and worse for the FY 2009 appropriations bills. First, House Appropriations Committee members get all hot and bothered with each other and refuse to continue to work on appropriations bills. Then, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) casts doubt that any appropriations bills will be passed by the House this year. And now, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has speculated he believes Congress won't enact any bills until long after President Bush starts working on his presidential library. The Hill reported today that Reid expects Congress will not pass any annual spending bills this year, saying lawmakers will likely postpone that responsibility until President Bush is out of office. So no appropriations bills this year. That gives Congress only about 6 or so weeks left of work this year. Quite the haul. That should give them enough time to pass another (yes, another) supplemental appropriations bill. Senate Appropriations Chair Robert Byrd (D-WV) announced today his committee would mark up a second supplemental bill on July 22. ugh...