Changes Ordered

(Fox News) - Dems adopted in January what are called "pay as you go" spending rules mandating that any new expenditures be met by either corresponding spending cuts or new revenue. Bills may be sent back to committee with orders to make specific changes — often having to do with funding.

But Congressional Quarterly reports the rules have inadvertently allowed Republicans to insert language into bills that is politically difficult for Democrats to oppose — such as yesterday's bill on passenger whistleblowers.

Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is now vowing to change the rules to negate the new Republican tactic.