$1 Trillion Spending Bill Emerges

Political Realities ^ | 01/02/14 | LD Jackson

[LD Jackson]

As was expected after the Paul Ryan/Patty Murray budget agreement was passed through Congress and signed into law by President Obama, a new spending bill is emerging in the House of Representatives. It is being written in a secretive process on the sub-committee level, for the time being. As outlined in the Ryan-Murray budget agreement, it is based on a $1.012 trillion spending cap.

As also should be expected, it is opposed by many of the same Republicans who opposed the Ryan-Murray agreement because it raises the spending cap above the levels set by the sequestration legislation. There are more than a few of those Republicans who want to be able to offer floor amendments to the spending bill that is being written. Some of those Republicans have said they could support the spending bill, were it to contain certain policy riders. It remains to be seen if that will happen.

The Hill - Republican Study Committee Chairman Steve Scalise (R-La.), one of the no votes, told The Hill this week that he could be open to voting for the omnibus if some key policy provisions are included, such as limits on ObamaCare’s implementation.

But he acknowledged that his impression from appropriators is they will not risk a new showdown over ObamaCare, which triggered a 16-day government shutdown in October.

To get his vote, Scalise argued that at the very least, Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) must score wins on energy, defense and homeland security spending provisions.

The House approved Energy and Water, Defense and Homeland Security appropriations bills this summer with numerous amendments, while the full Senate did not vote on companion bills.

“We passed a few appropriations bills and we put some policy riders that reflect conservative principles,” Scalise said.

He said a final bill at a minimum should reflect GOP policy riders that scale back funding for wasteful green energy programs favored by the Obama administration. Examples of floor amendments include ending funding for green energy advertising and limiting federal agency procurement of alternative fuels.

Energy riders could have a good shot given Rogers' keen interest in helping the coal industry.

Scalise said conservatives will push leaders to allow floor amendments on the omnibus, something that could make completing the bill in just over a week problematic.

Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), who has made fiscal matters his signature issue, said he expected conservatives to offer an amendment to bring the top-line number down to $967 billion.

Another amendment, he said, would trim spending by 1 percent across the board. He said he would push for a House rule that would cover votes on those issues.

Mulvaney was less optimistic about getting policy riders on the omnibus.

He said GOP leaders appear ready to rely on Democrats to pass the omnibus, and as a result won’t feel the need to push policy riders.

“We were told in no uncertain terms that they would not be coming to us for votes,” he said. “Part of the deal with Democrats also included their support on appropriations.”

He said that “personally it would be difficult to support” any omnibus at a spending level higher than $967 billion, regardless of policy riders.

Pay close attention to the portion I have emphasized. If that statement is true, and I have no reason to believe it is not, conservatives have every reason to be concerned about the leadership of the Republican Party in Congress. Speaker John Boehner seems to have little care for the concerns voiced by the conservative members of his caucus. He and his leadership team were determined to force the Ryan-Murray agreement down our throats and they are proceeding with full steam towards implementing as much of the government spending as they possibly can.

If this proceeds as I think it will, the spending bill will be rammed through both houses of Congress and under the President's pen in post haste fashion. Conservatives will then know for sure (if they don't already) where they stand with the leadership of their party.

[fortheDeclaration]

Insane!

[rarestia]

Wow, I don’t even know what to think anymore. Up is down, conservative is terrorist, the northern United States becoming a tundra is global warming... does the press even try to hide their agenda anymore?

[rhubarbk]

does the press even try to hide their agenda anymore?

The simple answer is not only no, but Hell no!

[Gaffer]

Our government, the one comprised of the vote-pandering zealots (Democrats) and the comfortable Republican GOPe establishment, has so completely left the realm of sanity.

The don’t know or, more importantly, care about real America out here. The America that works, pays taxes, tries to survive (thrive is a word long gone now) and stay healthy. This government attacks that America on every front.

They live in a fantasy land of power and money, surrounded by its high paid bureaucrats, business lobbies, media shills and political traitors. They know no honor - or pride. The allure is so powerful, it takes even Congressmen like mine - who did well for a while and turned him into just another second-tier power appeaser hell bent on returning to his seat this year.

If I have anything to do with it, he (Collins) won’t be elected again. Neither will anyone the GOP or Chambliss supports for Senator. Johnny’s time is coming, too.

[driftdiver]

but they had to cut vets to save a couple billion.

they didnt cut:

- benefits to illegals
- welfare
- food stamps
- foreign aid to Pakistan
- foreign aid to terrorist organizations seeking to destroy Israel
- pay or benefits to Congress
- support for unions
- support for global warming
- and a myriad of other wasteful govt spending

[Psalm 73]

I don't see how they/we can avoid an economic apocalypse - maybe they know we can't and they're just padding their nest for the inevitable.

When true unemployment reaches 35% or so, there will be no way the Federal government can continue operations - and we're not far off (85 billion imaginary dollars a month is only forestalling the inevitable).

[djf]

A long time ago, the federal government granted itself the power to print money.

Then it proceeded to bribe the states with it, and garner votes and power.

The “spending”, the “debt”, is their creation. Not the states.

When the chickens come home to roost, they will try to rape the states by selling National Parks (they will call them Earth Resources or some other bullshit), the land that “belongs” to the feds, (what’s that? Like 3/4 of Nevada?), and sell “Administration” of national resources. (Like the FAA or CDC being run by the Chinese).

Even 17 trillion in debt wasn’t enough to help them buy or find someone with the stones we need.

[driftdiver]

84.5% of Nevada is federal

The lowest % of federal land in western states is Montana at 29.9%

[Venturer]

Speaker Boehner is without doubt the worst Speaker in history.

[driftdiver]

“Speaker Boehner is without doubt the worst Speaker in history”

The demonrats like the job he’s doing.

[Venturer]

The Democrats are laughing at the fool.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Plus it is going to go up as I fully expect the Pubbies to eventually cave on extending unemployment benes.

[William Tell]

From the article: "As outlined in the Ryan-Murray budget agreement, it is based on a $1.012 trillion spending cap."

This is wonderful news indeed. Why just several years ago I remember that federal spending was in excess of four trillion dollars. Our leaders deserve a lot of credit for having whittled government spending down so remarkably.

The greatest benefit of a "$1.012 trillion spending cap" is that the excess revenue, around three trillion dollars per year can be applied to our 18 trillion dollar debt, paying it down to zero in just six years.

It's just so remarkable that ... What? They're not really talking about a "spending cap" but a "borrowing cap"? How can this be? Has George Orwell been consulted regarding the language to use in describing the U.S. budget?

Perhaps things aren't as rosy as I thought. Just what exactly is the author of this article talking about?

[AllAmericanGirl44]

bkmk