Though we’ve been collecting and reporting information on the annual spending process, OMB Watch reports that congressional leaders may allow the process to collapse, passing only temporary spending measures until there is a new president in office.

Here’s how The Hill, a government-industry trade paper, describes the thinking:

Democrats have little incentive to try to approve more than $1 trillion of domestic discretionary spending this year. They are expected to expand their majority in Congress, and if Obama wins the White House, they will be better positioned to dictate how to spend federal dollars. Plus, pushing the bills through could expose members to politically sensitive amendments on taxes and spending on the eve of the November election. But holding off on Congress’s fundamental responsibility would almost certainly open Democrats up to attacks of not doing their basic job.

Congress should pass the annual spending bills before the start of the October 1 start of the new Fiscal Year. That’s one of its most basic responsibilities, which shouldn’t be shirked – even for politics.