Posted on 02/09/2011 8:11:54 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Following a contentious vote Tuesday night, the House Appropriations Committee will move forward with a GOP proposal to cut tens of billions in federal non-security spending for the remainder of the fiscal year (through September). The move puts Republicans one step closer to bringing a continuing resolution to the floor that will replace the one that expires on March 4.
The 27-22 vote broke down by party, with two notable exceptions: GOP Reps. Jeff Flake (R., Ariz.) and Cynthia Lummis (R., Wyo.) joined with Democrats and voted ‘no’ in protest over cuts they viewed as insufficient. Republicans very nearly lost a third member. Freshman Rep. Tom Graves (R., Ga.) had also threatened to oppose the measure, but was won over at the last minute.
The proposal will cut about $58 billion in non-defense spending compared to President Obama’s 2011 budget request. Conservatives like Flake have insisted that the number is too low and called for an additional $42 billion in cuts to fulfill a commitment outlined in the Republican “Pledge to America” to cut $100 billion. Rep. Jim Jordan (R., Ohio), chairman of the Republican Study Committee, has promised to introduce these extra cuts in an amendment to any continuing resolution brought to the floor.
Flake’s move was rather unprecedented in that he opted to file a dissenting view in the committee report, something that is almost never done by a member of the majority party. However, those familiar with Flake should not be surprised. He certainly didn’t sign up for the Appropriations Committee to make friends.
If Tuesday night’s vote is any indication of what’s to come when a continuing resolution ultimately comes to the House floor, GOP leadership will be in for a real test.
More here.
We're doomed.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.... a quarter of a drop in the bucket. I guess it’s a start.
I am utterly baffled by the inability for nearly anyone in the federal government TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY. Is anyone listening to backbone of America as it slowly breaks, to the sound of fiddles on the House steps?
As reality sets in what will everyone who worked so hard to oust the Democrats do? Me..I am going 3rd Party. Won’t be fooled again. Republicans are disgusting.
I like you and I've voted for you every time you've run. Not sure where you stand on the various budget cut proposals. Just want to sound off and say that Ryan's 40 bil or whatever it is is totally inadequate. If that's sufficient to you, then we'll have to start looking for someone to primary you out of office, which I'd hate to see. I hope you fight for and insist on MUCH deeper cuts, more along the lines of Rand Paul's proposal--even his is not enough, but it'll do. Ryan's proposal is a joke and an insult to the tea party.
Good for Jeff Flake (R., Ariz.) and Cynthia Lummis (R., Wyo.)!
We need more like them!
They will never stop until we shut down the Printing Press and halt their ability to borrow.
good for him! a trillion dollar cut would be a START!
I expect change through war. The electoral process doesn't interest me very much anymore.
This is the same Jeff Flake that got kicked off a committee because he was too fiscally conservative. You go Jeff.
I prefer to view cuts as lopping off entire agencies. A warm up would be to ax the Dept of Energy, ATF, most of the FBI, Dept of Ed, DEA, Dept of HLS & NASA. That would give a bit of breathing room for a good house cleaning of the many smaller (and useless) agencies that ride under the radar. Oh, Dept of Health/Human Servs. (aka welfare for those unwilling to work) would get axed entirely.
no arguments, but Id’ keep NASA. a mars landing would be a real shot in the arm for our national prestige, and it will result development of new, better technology in a whole lot of areas.
I keep hearing $32 billion and other times $58 billion.
Neither is enough but why the confusion?
I keep hearing $32 billion and other times $58 billion.
Neither is enough but why the confusion?
The actual proposal is to cut $58 billion in non-defense spending from Obama’s 2011 budget proposal.
The GOP originally promised $100 Billion in cuts. I’m not sure where you get the $32 Billion, but that’s $10 Billion short of what ADDITIONALLY needs to be cut, and that’s the reason for Flake’s non-cooperation. He wants an ADDITIONAL $42 Billion trimmed from the budget.
Zero out NASA I say. They are worse than wasting their budget “educating” our children about the dangers of man made CO2.
Apparently this is coming from Ryan himself.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=41686
Question is where did the $58 billion number come from?
well, maybe if they had a clear, concrete goal, they’d butt out of areas where they are not needed.
a redirection, if you will.
At what cost?
I like NASA, but fiscal accountability must come first.
The cuts have to be made.
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