Why reading legislative bills counts

Washington Post columnist George Will isn't alone in his disgust with the federal auto bailout facilitated by the previously approved bank bailout. Unfortunately, in his haste he overlooks the main problem:

"Congress's marginalization was brutally underscored when, after lawmakers did not authorize $14 billion for General Motors and Chrysler, the executive branch said, in effect: Congress's opinions are mildly interesting, so we will listen very nicely -- then go out and do precisely what we want."

The whole column is here.

What Will misses is the fact that the banking bailout bill allowed this to happen. Congress shouldn't be upset that events played out this way, because its signature is on the dotted line.