DeLay tells chiefs to make real cuts

Washington Times ^ | Thursday, May 15, 2003 | By James G. Lakely

[JohnHuang2]

House committee chairmen have signed off on a plan, endorsed by Majority Leader Tom DeLay, to cut 1 percent from their respective parts of the federal budget by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse.

The support of the Republican leadership puts muscle behind an idea proposed months ago by House Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle, Iowa Republican, and greeted with equal parts enthusiasm, skepticism and derision.

[JohnHuang2]

Thursday, May 15, 2003

Quote of the Day by Ed_in_NJ

[stylin19a]

"One of the things you want to be cautious about is that if you find too much [waste], it's your administration, and they tend to blame you, even though it might have predated" Republican control of Congress, Mr. Davis said. "But we have an affirmative obligation to make sure the taxpayers get their dollars."

SO..if you find too much - only report a little

[goldstategop]

Just 1%? Gee, that's what we need to reduce the fat of the federal government. Wave a magic wand. Now you see it; now you don't. Thanks for nothing Tom!

[jagrmeister]

This is a terrific start. Make it a habit for chairmen each ear to identify a portion of their budget which constitutes 'waste, abuse, and fraud'. NO voter supports Waste, Abuse, or Fraud. Start with a low figure (1% is fine). Expand WAF to include low-priority programs to eliminate as well (the justification for new spending must be that the money spent thusly is better than spending the same money to feed starving orphans). Most importantly, badger Democrats to aid in this effort, reminding them that the taxpayer's money "doesn't grow on trees". We've got to get the ball rolling and Delay's suggestion will do that.

[glorgau]

"You don't try to lose 20 pounds the first week," Mr. Spicer said. "You go for 5 pounds the first week. If we find 1 percent his year, maybe next year we find another 1 percent."

Are they sure the quote wasn't from this guy?