Democrats: The Bill Is In Your Court

House Republicans Offer Plan Already Endorsed by Senate Democrats Which Would Keep Government Open

House Republicans today introduced a temporary government funding measure that cuts federal spending based on proposals endorsed by Senate Democrats:

“House Republicans began rolling out Friday a novel stop-gap spending bill that would avert a government shutdown March 4 but only if Democrats first accept nearly $4 billion in appropriations cuts as a down payment toward a larger budget deal.

“Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has insisted on this approach as he tries to keep pace with tea party supporters and his large freshman class, which are demanding more than $60 billion in House-passed cuts over the second half of this fiscal year. The resolution now would buy two more weeks ending Mar. 18 for House-Senate talks, and Boehner appears to be trying to set a less confrontational tone by asking for the least painful reductions up front.

“Party leaders, in a conference call with reporters, said the full text of the bill will be released Friday afternoon in anticipation of coming to the House floor Tuesday.Most of the savings would come by rescinding unspent funds that had been earmarked by the last Congress or adopting reductions proposed in the White House’s own 2012 budget.” (David Rogers, “Republicans Start Stopgap Rollout,” Politico, 2/25/2011)

Now the responsibility to keep the federal government open lies solely with congressional Democrats. Here’s a reminder of the Senate Democrats’ ringing endorsement of the spending cuts in the new House Republican proposal:

Reduce or eliminate existing earmarks:

SENATE DEMOCRATS: “Senate Democrats are reviewing possible spending cuts in drafting a seven-month bill to keep the government in operation after existing funding expires on March 4, officials said Thursday, the first time they have demonstrated a willingness to embrace immediate reductions.

“These Democratic officials said about $8.5 billion remaining from previously approved congressional earmarks may be reduced or eliminated, and Democratic aides also are reviewing President Barack Obama’s proposed program cuts and terminations for 2012 to see whether any should take effect immediately.” (David Espo, “Senate Dems Consider Spending Cuts,” Associated Press, 2/24/2011)

Target programs outlined by President Obama for termination and cuts:

SENATE DEMOCRAT AIDE: “According to an aide, the Democratic leadership has informed White House officials that it plans to target the 211 programs outlined by Obama for terminations and cuts — which the Office of Management and Budget projects would save $33 billion in 2012 — as well as leftover earmarks still being funded under the current continuing resolution, which amount to some $8.5 billion. Those reductions would be made next fiscal year under Obama’s plan, but Democrats say they want to see which of those programs can be eliminated or cut immediately.”  (Manu Raju, “Dems Ready Cuts to Avoid Shutdown,” Politico, 2/24/2011)