House Democrats Reject Lance's Efforts To Trim $410 Billion Spending Bill

Press Release

Late last night, the House Rules Committee rejected by a party-line vote efforts by House GOP moderates led by Leonard Lance (NJ), Charlie Dent (PA) and Michael N. Castle (DE) to trim the fiscal year 2009 Omnibus appropriations bill.

The group of moderate lawmakers unsuccessfully sought permission to offer an amendment to the $410 billion omnibus measure that would limit the spending increases in the bill to the rate of inflation, or 3.8 percent. As currently drafted, the massive spending bill provides an 8 percent spending increase.

What's more, many of the same programs received funding increases between 12 percent and 151 percent as part of the new economic stimulus law passed by Congress last week.

"As strong advocates for so many federal domestic programs, we are respectful and supportive of many efforts in this bill to assist law enforcement, improve education, expand access to health care, expand critical medical research and extend housing to those in need," the GOP Centrists said in testimony to the House Rules Committee. "These and other worthy programs deserve our long-term attention and support, but with these tough economic times come tough choices.

"Congress is about to embark on consideration of fiscal year 2010 Appropriations bills through regular order, preferable to emergency and omnibus spending packages. We should contain the remaining fiscal year 2009 Appropriations bills to the rate of inflation, 3.8%, and then commit to working in a bipartisan way to get our fiscal house in order."

Joining Reps. Lance, Dent and Castle in this effort were Reps. Dave Reichert (WA), Jim Gerlach (PA) and Fred Upton (MI).

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