Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has adopted precisely the approach to fiscal 2011 appropriations that we advocated in this morning's editorial.

From his press shop:

“Today I’m introducing this: a clean, one-page continuing resolution that keeps government funded through February 18^th at current spending levels. Once the new Congress is sworn in, we’ll have a chance to pass a less expensive bill free of wasteful spending.”

There is no reason why Democrats, having failed to pass a budget or fund the government for next year, should now be allowed to lock in their spending priorities until next October. Moreover, with the tax deal passed, there is nothing aside from a temporary spending bill that cannot wait until January 5. The only plausible exception is the START treaty.