The ONLY alternative way to prioritize is Congress. Congress can ONLY force something to be spent if they can muster enough votes to override a veto.
If money is not available, the Executive Branch is tasked with prioritizing how all money is spent. The assumption is that Obama would do his best to prioritize wisely.
Absent a raise in the debt ceiling, we are looking at immediate spending cuts of 41% or more.
Do YOU want to give Obama the power to decide how to make those cuts? Do YOU want to give him that much power?
(Yes, I know. We CAN'T go on the way we are either. Houston, we have a problem.)
Don't think that's they way it would work. This is true of the debt limit hike so Obama would own it but as far as cuts go, Obama would only be able to recommend them...they would have to still have to be voted on the regular way by Congress.
No way is McConnell suggesting that Congress give up its appropriations power.