House GOP deepens proposed spending cuts

Two days after House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R.-Ky.) announced his intent to cut $74 billion in proposed federal spending over the next seven months, he said he had increased that figure to $100 billion in cuts to be included in an upcoming Containing Resolution (CR) that twill keep the government in business until the next fiscal year begins. He was responding to a conservative demand to make deeper cuts in President Obama’s fiscal year 2011 request.

The earlier-planned $74 billion INS cuts included $1 billion for highspeed rail and $224 million for Amtrak. Rogers said specific cuts in his new proposal would be announced when the CGR legislation is introduced.

Rogers explained his action in these words:

“After meeting with my subcommittee chairs, we have determined that the CR can and will reach a total of $100 billion in cuts compared to thePresident’s request immediately—fully meeting the goal outlined in the Republican ‘Pledge to America’ in one fell swoop. Our intent is to make deep but manageable cuts in nearly every area of government, leaving no stone unturned and allowing no agency or program to be held sacred. I haveinstructed my committee to include these deeper cuts, and we are continuing to work to complete this critical legislation.”