political football

Meaning

Noun

• A contentious political issue or problem that is often debated or discussed, but that remains unresolved; an issue or problem which is avoided by authorities and handed off to others.
• Ongoing unproductive wrangling or posturing between political factions, resulting in failure to deal with an issue or problem in a decisive or appropriate way.

Origin

• An allusion to being "kicked back and forth" by opposing politicians, like a ball.