The Congressional Budget Cuts - By the Numbers

Last week, the House Appropriations Committee approved a 302(b) allocation of $420 billion for non-security spending. The FY 2011 continuing appropriations bill being considered this week is below this amount. It specifically provides $396.6 billion for non-security spending (compared to the $378 billion FY 2008 non-security funding level) and $631.9 billion for security spending (compared to the $554 billion FY 2008 security funding level). Overall, this is a $99.6 billion reduction compared to the President’s budget—$81 billion of the reduction is non-security spending, $18.6 billion security spending.

You can see a chart of spending by budget here.

What is unfortunate is that the Republican controlled House could not muster the votes to cut an additional $22 billion from the current year spending package. All the RSC members voted for it, but that was not enough votes. The measure failed,  147-281. Read about the split in GOP ranks here.

Here is the text of the press release sent out by the RSC before the vote:

RSC Members Offer Amendment to Cut More from 2011 Spending Bill

Looking to Make a Good Bill Better

Washington, Feb 18

Today, members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) will offer an amendment to reduce spending in H.R. 1, the FY 2011 continuing resolution, by an additional $22 billion. The amendment would return total non-security spending in 2011 to just below its pre-stimulus 2008 level, which represents a savings of more than $100 billion from President Obama’s non-security discretionary budget request for this year.

“After years of endless increases, Congress is finally talking about how to reduce spending and get Washington out of the way,” said RSC Chairman Jim Jordan. “In the last four years, federal spending rose by nearly 36% while Americans’ median family income fell by 4.2%. At the same time, the national debt spiked by a staggering $5.4 trillion.

“Families and businesses have had to cut back, and they’re demanding that Washington do the same. This week, Republicans are taking the first step to getting the country’s finances in order. This is already a good bill, but I believe we can make it even better.”

The amendment, which will be formally offered by Rep. Marsha Blackburn, makes across-the-board cuts of 11% to Legislative Branch accounts and 5.5% to all other non-security accounts, excluding aid to Israel.

In addition to Chairman Jordan and Rep. Blackburn, other sponsors of the amendment include Reps. Jeff Flake, Scott Garrett, Mike Pence, John Campbell, Jeff Duncan, Frank Guinta, Tim Huelskamp, Steve Southerland, and Joe Walsh.