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WSJ: House GOP Leaders Push for 'Cut-As-You-Go'
Washington
(Dec 1)
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/12/01/house-gop-leaders-push-for-cut-as-you-go/
House GOP Leaders Push for ‘Cut-As-You-Go’
The Wall Street Journal
DECEMBER 1, 2010, 3:51 PM ET
By Patrick O'Connor
In another nod to conservative activists, House Republicans want to impose new rules that would make it harder for Congress to create government programs.
Oregon Rep. Greg Walden, who’s leading the Republicans’ transition to the House majority, is asking colleagues to support a change to the party’s internal rules that would require lawmakers to cut spending or eliminate programs to offset the costs of any new programs established under fast-track “suspension” bills that require a two-thirds majority for passage and can’t be amended.
House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio first suggested the change during a Sept. 30 speech to the American Enterpise Institute, dubbing it “Cut-As-You-Go” — a play on pay-as-you-go rules that require lawmakers to offset any legislation that adds to the budget by cutting spending or raising new revenue through taxes or fees. He borrowed the idea from Republican Rep. Roy Blunt, who just won a Senate seat in Missouri.
“Very simply, under this ‘CutGO’ rule, if it is your intention to create a new government program, you must also terminate or reduce spending on an existing government program of equal or greater size–in the very same bill,” Mr. Boehner said during the AEI speech.
The rule: “Would prohibit consideration of a suspension bill if it (1) creates a new program w/o eliminating or reducing another of similar size; and (2) increases authorizations w/o offsets,” according to an aide.
Aides expect it will be adopted when Republicans vote on the conference rules next week.
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