WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today again approved a measure that would reduce federal spending by $40 billion over five years. The bill is the same legislation passed late last year by the House before the U.S. Senate made minor technical amendments. U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard), who voted for the Budget Deficit Reduction Act in December, expressed disappointment that not one House Democrat voted for the measure.

“After three years of attacking Republicans for the federal budget deficit, the Democrats not only have tried to increase federal spending by an additional $61 billion, they now refuse to support a measure that reduces the deficit and implements much-needed reform in the Medicaid program,” said Tiahrt.

The Act includes reform proposed by the bi-partisan National Governors Association, including more accurate prescription drug pricing mechanisms. The legislation also contains measures to improve communication between homeland security first responders; lower prescription drug costs; reduce government waste, fraud and abuse; strengthen and simplify student loan programs and expand Welfare Reform.