ANALYSIS — The optimistic case for passing appropriations bills this year goes something like this:
A renewed focus on defense spending brought about by the war in Ukraine and Chinese saber-rattling across the Taiwan strait could help facilitate a deal. The coming retirement of Senate appropriations leaders could build momentum. And the worst inflation in 40 years could expedite the process, as stopgap funding would bite worse than usual.
Yet the experience of the past dozen years encourages pessimism.
