**Updated below** One would think that all Republicans would realize that not only do labor unions want to destroy the economy; they want to destroy the Republican Party. Last night, while Scott Walker was launching his counteroffensive against the onslaught of Big Labor during the debate against Barrett, dozens of Republicans voted to reinstate special handouts to the labor bosses. Late last night, the House | Read More »
It’s another week in Washington, and another story is out containing a plethora of quotes from Republicans who are willing to “put revenues on the table.” Here are some quotes from today’s article in Politico: “Nobody wants to raise taxes, but the question is can you lower tax rates, lower loopholes and deductions and apply that to debt reduction? I think the answer is yes,” | Read More »
“ Once the Democrats know that the debt ceiling will invariably be raised, they have no incentive to play ball. The end result will be another raw deal that is worse than doing nothing.” There is much hullabaloo in the media about John Boehner’s shot across the bow in the upcoming battle over the debt ceiling this fall. Specifically, Boehner warned that he “will again | Read More »
On Tuesday, we noted that there would be many important spending cutting amendment offered on the floor to the Commerce, Justice, and Science bill (H.R. 5326). Well, a number of conservatives offered amendments to cut or eliminate wasteful, harmful, and unconstitutional programs. Most notably, we focused on Mike Pompeo’s amendment to eliminate the stimulus program – Economic Development Administration. The House defeated most of | Read More »
Today, the House began debate on the first of the 12 annual appropriations bills; the Commerce, Justice, and Science bill (H.R. 5326). So far, Republican leaders have agreed to abide by their pledge to bring these bills to the floor under an open rule. This allows conservative members to offer amendments to cut more spending and eliminate wasteful and unconstitutional programs. It’s the votes on | Read More »
Every elected Republican came to Washington promising to slash spending and balance the budget. Yet, when it comes time for the most direct way to enact those spending cuts; namely, the annual appropriations bills, most of them are missing in action. In an ideal world, Republicans should hold the upper hand in negotiations over spending bills. They enjoy complete control over the House, while Harry | Read More »
Last April, House Republicans released the Ryan budget for FY 2012 with much fanfare and promise. The budget resolution was approved almost unanimously among the members of the conference, and they spent the subsequent spring months working on individual appropriations bills that reflected the goals and the spending levels established in that budget blueprint. Later that year, Republicans summarily jettisoned the Ryan budget for the | Read More »
There’s got to be some way to create a legislative scorecard on committee votes. Last month, House Republicans almost unanimously passed the “Ryan” budget resolution for FY 2013. It established the topline discretionary spending level at $1.028 trillion, just $15 billion below last year’s levels and $19 billion below the cap set in the Budget [Out of] Control Act. To put that in perspective, the | Read More »
Recently, some of my friends have expressed shock and dismay over the Chamber of Commerce’s endorsements of big-government establishment Republicans like Dick Lugar and Jon Bruning. After all, they suggest, isn’t the Chamber a bastion of free-market, pro-growth policies? The answer is really simple. It is no enigma. The Chamber of Commerce is not conservative, pro-free-market, or even necessarily pro-growth. They support the special interests | Read More »
Senator Kent Conrad has finally made it clear that he has no intentions of passing a budget resolution. He will offer the “Simpson-Bowles plan” without allowing any amendments or even a committee vote, much less a floor vote. That’s some budget resolution. Without a budget resolution to guide the topline spending numbers, the Senate Appropriations Committee has already begun markups on the 12 appropriations bills | Read More »
As we’ve noted throughout the past year’s imbroglio over transportation spending, it is clear that complete federal control over transportation spending in a post-interstate highway era (post 1992) is inefficient, costly, anti-federalist, and precludes state and private innovations. Yet, Congress continues to buckle down on a policy that has failed in recent years, exposing taxpayers to future bailouts and tax increases. Worst of all, it | Read More »
Over the past few weeks, Obama has exhibited the intensity of a Navy SEAL in his execution of class warfare. He is trying to convince everyone that those who earn 17% of Adjusted Gross Income, yet pay 36.7% of federal income taxes don’t pay anything, while those who pay little or no taxes shoulder the entire tax burden. Obama will continue to toss out misinformation | Read More »
As we noted yesterday, a number of Republicans who inherently oppose the RSC budget, yet wanted to go on record as voting for it, switched their votes from no to aye when they realized that Democrats wouldn’t vote present and let it pass. This stratagem was orchestrated by the GOP Whip team. Here is a list of the vote switchers (from the Congressional Record) who | Read More »
The RSC budget was defeated earlier today, but the good news is that it garnered the support of 136 Republicans, 56% of the conference. Or did it? Take a look at this summation from The Hill of the roll call vote and ask yourselves what we are supposed to think about the leadership within the conference: Members rejected the RSC proposal in a 136-285 vote | Read More »
Late last night, the House began voting on the substitute budget amendments to the Ryan budget. Here is a quick rundown. Simpson-Bowles Every single Republican in Washington is committed to doing everything in his or her power to terminate Obamacare, right? Wrong! Last night, 16 Republicans from the ‘pale-pastel caucus’ voted for the Simpson-Bowles budget alternative in the form of the Cooper-LaTourette amendment. This budget | Read More »
![[RS]](/t/img/logo-footer.jpg){kind=logo}