A group of conservative Senators are calling on Speaker John Boehner to cut at least $100 billion from the president’s budget request — significantly more than House Republicans had planned.
“We believe that, as part of the urgent need to cut federal spending, the total value of the fiscal year 2011 spending reductions in the upcoming continuing resolution should be no less than $100 billion,” the Senators wrote in a letter Friday to the Ohio Republican. “The American people expect at least this level — which is just one-fifteenth of the FY2011 budget deficit.”
The letter, signed by 11 lawmakers, indicated that because Democrats remain in control of the Senate, it is vital to pass a “bold as possible” continuing resolution in the House.
House Republicans have proposed cutting $74 billion from President Barack Obama’s budget plan for the rest of the fiscal year. Republicans had promised $100 billion in cuts as part of their campaign platform last fall.
The bill is expected to be on the House floor the week of Feb. 14.
Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations for the IRS, arrives for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the investigation of the IRS' targeting of political groups. Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right to not testify and caused a protest from some committee members when she offered an opening statement and engaged in dialogue with members before invoking the right.
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
