RSC Update: After Weeklong Debate, House Passes Bill To Cut Spending

In the wee hours of Saturday morning, following a week of extensive debate, the Republican-led House passed a bill to fund the government at reduced spending levels from March 4 through September 30.  Compared to President Obama’s budget proposal, the bill (known as a “CR”) cuts $100 billion this year.  Relative to current spending, it would be a reduction of more than $61 billion – making it by far the largest discretionary spending cut in the post-WWII era.

RSC members, in particular the members of our freshman class, pushed the Republican Conference to achieve this level of savings over the last few weeks.  The House-passed CR is a good first step, and I applaud my colleagues for sending this positive signal to job creators that we are serious about saving the country from mounting debt.

Still, it was disappointing that the RSC amendment to achieve an additional $22 billion in savings fell short of the votes required for passage.  Considering the size of Washington’s $1.5 trillion deficit and $14 trillion national debt, far greater steps must follow.

Total federal spending has grown by nearly 36% since 2007, adding $5.4 trillion to the national debt.  House Republicans are doing our part to rein in this reckless borrowing and avoid a government shutdown after March 4.  Over in the Senate, however, Democrats (who are not in Washington debating the CR this week) remain in control and insist on keeping spending at its current, bloated level.  A government shutdown is unacceptable, as is the Democrats’ refusal to cut even $1 from current spending.

God Bless,

Congressman Jim Jordan

Chairman, Republican Study Committee