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Title: Republicans Plan $100 Billion Budget Cut as Early Act If They Take Power
Source:
Bloomberg
URL Source: http://noir.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aC2d4ldgeio8
Published: Oct 27, 2010
Author: Patrick O’Connor
Post Date: 2010-10-27 15:39:57 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 31808
Comments: 60
Oct. 27 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. House Republicans plan to try to slash $100 billion from the federal budget as early as January if they wrest power from Democrats in this year’s midterm elections, setting up possible early showdowns with President Barack Obama on taxes and spending. A Republican House takeover would thrust new committee heads, such as Representative Dave Camp on the Ways and Means panel, into the spotlight within weeks -- or days -- of seizing their gavels in early January. They would confront quick political tests that could alienate independent voters and Tea Party activists alike, analysts said. “The major issues are going to be fiscal, and fiscal issues are always contentious,” said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. Carrying out spending cuts that Republicans have pledged to seek -- which would amount to 21 percent of the government’s so-called discretionary money pot -- could prove politically difficult. Reducing funds for programs such as college loans for low-income students or medical research at the National Institutes of Health is harder than promising to do that on the campaign trail. ‘Political Repercussions’ Republicans “will quickly find out that across-the-board cuts have political repercussions,” Pitney said. A lame-duck session of Congress convening two weeks after the Nov. 2 elections will try to fund the government next year and deal with Bush-era tax cuts expiring Dec. 31. Prospective Republican House control could be an obstacle to Democrats in finishing that work before adjourning. Camp and other Republicans would then need to grapple with those tasks as they take over, even as they push their promised budget cuts. The backdrop is a federal deficit that the Congressional Budget Office said totaled $1.29 trillion in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. At 8.9 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product, it was the second-biggest shortfall since 1945. The following reviews the battle lines likely to be drawn in top House committees under Republican rule, and looks at the potential panel leaders who would preside over the fights: If Democrats fail to fund the government through September 2011, the end of the federal fiscal year, this committee would be the stage for that fight in the new Congress. And settling on the panel’s chairman would be one of the initial tasks facing Republicans. House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio, his party’s speaker-in-waiting, called for the $100 billion budget cut on Sept. 23 as part of a governing agenda aimed at wooing voters. The cuts, which weren’t specified, would come from the $477 billion Congress allocated in 2010 for non-defense domestic discretionary programs. Social Security and Medicare are among the programs excluded from the proposed 21 percent reductions in discretionary spending. Obama’s request for $73.4 billion for the Department of Education in the 2011 budget, including $23 billion for Pell Grants to help low-income students afford college, offers one example of the tough choices the Republicans would face. A 21 percent cut across-the-board would take about $15 billion from education. A 21 percent cut in Pell Grants would subtract almost $5 billion from the program. HHS Budget Obama asked Congress for $76.4 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services. Almost half that -- $32 billion - -is for NIH, which includes the National Cancer Institute and other research facilities. A 21 percent cut would slash NIH funding by more $6 billion. The question of which Republican would lead the Appropriations panel is complicated by the six-year limit the party placed on how long a lawmaker could serve as its leading member on a committee. Representative Jerry Lewis, a California Republican, reaches that limit at year’s end. He has said he will seek a waiver to allow him to take the committee’s helm. Lewis, 76, initially balked when Boehner pushed House Republicans to embrace a moratorium on lawmaker-sponsored projects, known as earmarks. Lewis reversed his position last year, gaining favor with Boehner. Representative Hal Rogers, a Kentucky Republican, would be the likely committee head if Lewis fails in his bid. Rogers, 72, is known for steering funding for road improvements and other projects to his state and district. The Lexington, Kentucky, Herald Leader once dubbed him the “Prince of Pork.” Representative Spencer Bachus of Alabama has two years left as the leading Republican on this panel, putting him in line for the chairmanship. Boehner’s staff tried to oust him two years ago for his handling of negotiations over the Troubled Asset Relief Program -- they thought he agreed to a deal that they’d rejected. At this point, it looks like Bachus, 62, will avoid another challenge. Still, the panel’s Republican membership, currently dominated by small-government, free-market advocates, could be reshuffled. Some of the 29 Republican members are expected to move to Ways and Means, particularly if their party wins the majority. And as the majority, Republicans could fill at least 12 additional slots on the financial services panel. It would be a plum assignment for freshmen who might face a tough contest two years from now, since the committee has become a good place to raise campaign cash. The panel would be the scene for any move to revamp mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Republicans want to limit the government’s exposure to their loan portfolios. While some Republicans talk of trying to repeal the president’s financial-markets overhaul, the party may resist that, given the virtual certainty of an Obama veto. Camp, of Michigan, typically favors policy debates over political sniping. He has the closest thing to a chairmanship lock on any of the so-called “A” committees -- which include Appropriations and Energy and Commerce. Should the lame-duck Congress end up deadlocked over extending the income tax cuts enacted under former President George W. Bush, Camp’s panel would be at the center of resolving the impasse. Republicans want to extend the cuts across the board, contending that would aid a U.S. economy struggling to grow after the longest recession in seven decades. Democrats want to limit the extensions, continuing the lower rates for individual income up to $200,000 and up to $250,000 for couples filing jointly. Camp, 57, has advocated making all the cuts permanent. One of the few Republicans offering concrete proposals for cutting federal spending has been Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, who would take the helm of the Budget Committee. His “Roadmap for America’s Future” would establish a voucher system for Medicare, scrap the current tax exemptions for employer-sponsored health benefits in favor of individual tax credits, and let workers under the age of 55 steer a portion of their Social Security taxes into private accounts. The plan elevated Ryan, 40, from an up-and-comer to a full-fledged political star. It also became a punching bag for Democrats, and some Republicans distanced themselves from its proposals, concerned they would be viewed as too extreme by independent voters. How vigorously Ryan promotes his ideas in committee should provide early clues of how much sway the Tea Party push for significantly limited government has gained. Representative Joe Barton of Texas is term-limited as the top Republican on this panel, leaving three others likely to vie for the chairmanship: John Shimkus, 52, of Illinois, Cliff Stearns, 69, of Florida, and Fred Upton, 57, of Michigan, whose seniority on the committee gives him an edge. The panel oversees the Department of Health and Human Services, which would give it a primary role in any bid to “repeal and replace” the health-care overhaul Obama got enacted this year. The committee could also keep a spotlight on the law -- and make changes to it -- through hearings on new rules the department will be writing to implement it. Additionally, the panel has authority over the health-care industry, the energy sector, the telecommunications industry, and commercial products, including tobacco. Upton, a journalism major at the University of Michigan, worked in the Office of Management and Budget under former President Ronald Reagan. He has taken some positions, such as supporting stem-cell research, that put him at odds with most of his Republican colleagues. Oversight and Government Reform Chairmanship of this panel would give Representative Darrell Issa of California subpoena power over the Obama administration in a Republican House, handing him a political tool he has said he would use. Issa, 56, said he wants to work with Obama aides to probe the Minerals and Management Service and its cozy relationship with the industries it oversees. Bipartisan comity might be tough to muster, though, if Issa also demands testimony from Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner about government bailouts of Wall Street and the auto industry, or pushes to subpoena White House officials about job offers made to Democrats who challenged incumbent senators in primaries. Any overhaul of immigration laws must go through this panel, which Representative Lamar Smith of Texas would preside over. Smith, whose first House race in 1986 was run by Republican political strategist Karl Rove, wants to shelve any discussion on such matters as a boost in visas for legal immigrant workers and a pathway to legal permanent residency for some of the roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to focus solely on securing the border with Mexico. “I’m still of the mind that we have to secure the border first,” said Smith, 62. Transportation and Infrastructure Obama has made infrastructure spending a priority, proposing a public-private fund to invest in roads, railways and an updated air-traffic control system. Representative John Mica of Florida would likely head this committee for the Republicans. Mica, 67, supports focusing high-speed rail construction in the Northeast and opposes lines in Ohio and California that Obama has proposed. Mica also wants to speed the approval process for federal road-building projects. Congress continues to grapple with whether to overturn the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which allows gay and lesbian soldiers to serve on condition they don’t reveal their sexual orientation. Under a Republican majority, Representative Howard P. “Buck” McKeon of California would oversee this panel’s debate on the issue. McKeon, 72, has opposed previous efforts to kill the policy, most recently saying no change should be made until the Pentagon issues a report in December on attitudes within the ranks on such a move. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban-born Floridian who in 1982 became the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress, would head this committee. The issues facing it include whether to impose future sanctions on Iran. Ros-Lehtinen, 58, is a staunch supporter of Israel. In an Oct. 20 speech, she said “extremists target Israeli citizens and seek Israel’s destruction. The UN isolates and demonizes the Jewish state.”
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#21. To: go65 (#8)
Come on don't be dumb.
As long as he gets to keep his tax cut, Limbaugh will say anything.
They spent it already. There is no surplus. Just an empty treasury with IOU's. And you supported the defecit spending. If not tell me what you would have cut. I would cut everything by 50 percent. Maybe less on defense.
Good. Less govt workers means more freedom. Means more people have their own money. Means they spend it on stuff that is useful and creates real jobs. Not paper shuffling and I'm going to tell you what to do jobs.
Except that in 1937 in the U.S. and more recently in the Baltics and Ireland, government austerity led to reduce economic activity, which reduced tax revenues, which off-set the spending cuts, which meant that the budgets were essentially back where they started in terms of deficit. Those that ignore history are doomed to repeat it.
Yes you should study history sometime. You might learn something. But first you have to take off your liberal shaded glasses. The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest we become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance. -- Cicero , Rome 55 BC
Th reality is that there is only $421 billion to cut by $1.2 trillion. The GOP isn't going to cut defense, Medicare, or Social Security, and it isn't going to raise taxes. So tell us how they balance the budget.
The GOP isn't going to cut defense, Medicare, or Social Security, and it isn't going to raise taxes. So tell us how they balance the budget. You have to start somewhere. Obamas record debt isn't the answer. Why do you think that most American Hate Obama? It isn't because he is black.
Most Americans don't hate Obama. Most Americans are however upset over the economy, cutting government spending right now will only make things worse. No matter though, you'll get your wish next year, just don't complain when unemployment goes over 10%, the deficit is still over a trillion dollars and the GOP continues to insist that eliminating taxes on income over $250k is necessary, while it also proposes defense spending increases.
Most tea baggers don't really care about deficit spending. Or they wouldn't have, and continue to support Wars that will add trillions to the Debt. Iraq will cost the United States over 3 trillion dollars. How many Tea Bagger candidates will admit it was a mistake? How many will stand up against future wars?
Liberals don't care about national security and justice, they'd prefer getting on their knees and kissing a tyrant's ass rather than kicking it.
Most Americans strongly dislike Obama. In the heartland. Most were willing to give him a chance. But he blew it big time.
Some do some don't. Rand Paul.
there's a new poll out today showing that most americans plan to vote for republicans, but like Democrats better, and another showing that most americans want government to do more to ensure insurance coverage but want health care reform repealed. You figure out it out because I sure can't.
Paul has gone back on his anti-war rhetoric, his Dad hasn't.
They'll just recycle the "grow our way out of debt" lie and the faithful will believe it.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
When you deposit money with your bank what do you think the bank does with it? Just an empty treasury with IOU's. Backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. And you supported the defecit spending. I supported a balanced budget and paying down the debt when that was a real possibility. I would cut everything by 50 percent. Only a brutal dictatorship could pull that off. Is that what you want, a dictatorship?
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
No he hasn't. He only said we should have all options on the table. That is correct.
As though Dubya Bush "cared" about national security? Justice? Is that why he'd left the Mexican border a sieve since 9/11? Invited Muslims to immigrate to the US? And what of the "justice" of making American pay for a 20 million-strong invasion of Mexican La Razas? Ordering BP Compean and Ramos arrested and jailed for enforcing the border? You seem also to forget how Dubya got on his knees and kissed the tyrannical azzes of Teddy Kennedy, Bubba Klinton, Vincente Fox, and the Saudi Prince.
What's to "like" about Commie-Democrats who routinely commit fraud, cheat, lie, steal, murder babies, spit on the Founders' graves, and sell out America? Oh, that's right - they "redistribute" the wealth. Got it. Btw, SOME-body's doing HUGE bong hits. NO body I know "likes" Dem-RATS. Except the neanderthals in the Unions, gubmint drones, socialists, and the lazy sloths.
Booosh wasn't a conservative, he isn't POTUS nor has he been for the last two years.
Are you firing up your fourth Cheech-sized joint of the day? WHAT "full faith and credit" has the USA? HELLO! It's all a charade. We're flat broke. We can't pay back our debts....unless the US Treasury runs the printing presses 24/7/365 (which is exactly what they're doing, and why the dollar is on its knees.) Only a brutal dictatorship could pull that [50% budget reduction] off. Is that what you want, a dictatorship? You haven't been paying much attention to 0bama, his Dem House and Senate, and Czars, have you? That fire, smoke, and ash you see and smell is sometimes associated with stuff burning and blowing up. In this case, it's the country. Only YOU smell and see it as a "really cool Bar-B-Q."
Your description was of a "liberal," but you inadvertently described George W. Bush to a Tee - Someone you supported wholeheartedly. Thanks for your blind faith and support of that Trojan horse liberal lunatic.
You don't know WHAT the "reality" is; Just what they tell you. Whatever's left from 0bama's entire $787 bullsh*t "Stimulus" can be cut because no one but his cronies and Dem fedgov weasel and hyenas have seen it. If they are about to print up and blow $22 billion on Pakistan, 0bama and the Dems don't give a rats azz about "saving" a dime; Never did. The goal has ALWAYS been to bankrupt the US before his dopey Marxist ass is dumpsterized. I mean surely you recognize that bankrupting America and creating race wars and social upheaval has been his plan...or DO you? You can't be this ignorant...Unless you actually concur with that kind of "Hope & Change"?
You had better get your nose out of Obama's jockstrap.
Thanks for your tidy time-keeping, Mr. Zebra-Official. His cancerous residue in fact not only remains, it's proliferated. Dubya Bush's dopey, treasonous policies, economic screw-ups, ass-kissing of Kennedy, starting two necessary wars, refusal to enforce the border, his pro-Amnesty advocacy were bad enough. But then his pro-Muslim advocacy, and failure to out the anti-America freak 0bama before he infested the WH have ALL impacted our lives disastrously. Two years later. HASN'T IT, YUKIE?
I'll bury you in Dubya's sh*t as deep as you want to keep it up.
Aren't you just the little prissy ballerina? Dubya is what you get when you elect a compassionate Methodist.
It's a little late to pull out now, ain't it, Stud? You and Dubya had a baby. Are you putting it up for adoption now?
I'm not a Methodist. It appears you have more than just your nose in Obama's jockstrap, prissy ballerina.
You do know that the term "czar" as applied to certain positions is metaphorical, created by the media, is not an official title, and has been used since 1919, don't you?
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
I am impressed by the way Obama got Bush to lay the ground work for his evil plan.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
""Hope & Changey" must then be considered a metaphor for "Destroying America as we know it," eh Mommy? This more-than-can-be-counted hydra-headed entity referred to as "Czars" have been given unauthorized, sweeping powers without the consent of The People by the Fake President. Btw, you may also refer to Barry and Bigfoot as "President and First Lady," but those names are just metaphors for "Marxist Dictator and Marie Antoinette."
And I'm impressed that you're impressed.... Now will you answer my questions?: Surely you recognize that bankrupting America and creating race wars and social upheaval has been his plan...or DO you? You can't be this ignorant...Unless you actually concur with that kind of "Hope & Change" Well DO you??
Thanks for the goofy irrelevance and lame attempt at deflecting my assertion. EXPECTED. It appears you have more than just your nose in Obama's jockstrap, prissy ballerina. You make no sense (yawn.) But anyway, I guess this is where I remind you that your face was buried in Dubya's crotch for eight years. Are you now finally coming up for air ten years later? Better late than never. Reggie.
You seem to possess a not too particular homoerotic obsession, don't you.
And your world view is impervious to facts and evidence. Now we know why. You have a genetic defect of the same type that causes schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: The dopamine receptor D4 is a G protein-coupled receptor encoded by the DRD4 gene.[1] It is linked to many neurological and psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, Parkinsons disease, bipolar disorder, addictive behaviors including sex addiction, and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating. It has also been linked with novelty seeking and liberalism [2].
Conservatives don't state that fact enough. Thanks for bringing it up.
Only a brutal dictatorship could pull that off. Is that what you want, a dictatorship? The U.K. just cut total government spending by 19%, phased in over 4 years. Many departments are being cut by 25%. Others will be cut less (defense faces an 8% cut). Is the U.K a "brutal dictatorship"?
You have no idea what that means do you? You are simply copying something from one of the text books that you use to pollute the minds of your students. The fact is that all of the annual surpluses since the program's inception have been spent on other things. Social Security is running a deficit this year. According to the trustees, deficits are going to explode starting in 2014. The government will have to substantially raise the payroll tax, cut benefits, or both. That's the bottom line.
the basic problem is that you can't cut spending and increase job growth in a recession.
#22. To: go65 (#20)
Not that it matters though, if they tell folks they've balanced the budget, and Fox/Limbaugh repeat it, many will believe it.
#23. To: lucysmom (#13)
There is a $2.3 trillion surplus
#24. To: go65 (#16)
My point is that massive cuts in federal spending will lead to more job losses.
#25. To: A K A Stone (#24)
Good. Less govt workers means more freedom. Means more people have their own money. Means they spend it on stuff that is useful and creates real jobs. Not paper shuffling and I'm going to tell you what to do jobs.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#26. To: go65 (#25)
Those that ignore history are doomed to repeat it.
#27. To: A K A Stone (#26)
(Edited)
The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest we become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance. -- Cicero , Rome 55 BC
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#28. To: go65 (#27)
Th reality is that there is only $421 billion to cut by $1.2 trillion.
#29. To: A K A Stone (#28)
You have to start somewhere. Obamas record debt isn't the answer. Why do you think that most American Hate Obama? It isn't because he is black.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#30. To: go65 (#29)
#31. To: Rhino (#30)
(Edited)
Most tea baggers don't really care about deficit spending.
#32. To: go65 (#29)
Most Americans don't hate Obama.
#33. To: Rhino (#30)
Most tea baggers don't really care about deficit spending. Or they wouldn't have, and continue to support Wars that will add trillions to the Debt.
#34. To: A K A Stone (#32)
Most Americans strongly dislike Obama. In the heartland. Most were willing to give him a chance. But he blew it big time.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#35. To: A K A Stone (#33)
Some do some don't. Rand Paul.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#36. To: go65 (#20)
Not that it matters though, if they tell folks they've balanced the budget, and Fox/Limbaugh repeat it, many will believe it.
#37. To: A K A Stone (#23)
They spent it already.
#38. To: go65 (#35)
#39. To: Ibluafartsky (#31)
Liberals don't care about national security and justice, they'd prefer getting on their knees and kissing a tyrant's ass rather than kicking it.
#40. To: go65 (#34)
there's a new poll out today showing that most americans plan to vote for republicans, but like Democrats better...
#41. To: Liberator (#39)
As though Dubya Bush
#42. To: lucysmom, AKA Stone (#37)
Backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
#43. To: Ibluafartsky (#41)
Booosh wasn't a conservative, he isn't POTUS nor has he been for the last two years.
#44. To: go65 (#27)
Th reality is that there is only $421 billion to cut by $1.2 trillion.
#45. To: Liberator (#43)
Someone you supported
#46. To: Ibluafartsky (#41)
He isn't POTUS nor has he been for the last two years.
#47. To: Ibluafartsky (#45)
You had better get your nose out of Obama's jockstrap.
#48. To: Liberator (#47)
I'll bury you in Dubya's sh*t
#49. To: Ibluafartsky (#48)
Dubya is what you get when you elect a compassionate Methodist.
#50. To: Liberator (#49)
(Edited)
You and Dubya had a baby.
#51. To: Liberator (#42)
You haven't been paying much attention to 0bama, his Dem House and Senate, and Czars, have you?
#52. To: Liberator (#44)
I mean surely you recognize that bankrupting America and creating race wars and social upheaval has been his plan...or DO you? You can't be this ignorant...Unless you actually concur with that kind of "Hope & Change"?
#53. To: lucysmom (#51)
You do know that the term "czar" as applied to certain positions is metaphorical, created by the media, is not an official title, and has been used since 1919, don't you?
#54. To: lucysmom (#52)
I am impressed by the way Obama got Bush to lay the ground work for his evil plan.
#55. To: Ibluafartsky (#50)
I'm not a Methodist.
#56. To: Liberator (#55)
Dubya's crotch
#57. To: lucysmom (#18)
And you STILL don't get it.
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson
#58. To: A K A Stone (#24)
Less govt workers means more freedom.
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson
#59. To: lucysmom (#37)
I would cut everything by 50 percent.
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson
#60. To: lucysmom, liberator (#37)
(Edited)
Backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson
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