Republicans Win Almost $50-Billion Cut

The House passed a budget bill today cutting spending in many areas:

The House narrowly approved a broad five-year budget plan early this morning that squeezes programs for the poor, for college students and for farmers, handing Republican leaders a hard-fought victory after weeks of resistance in GOP ranks.

Note how they say it "squeezed" these groups. Newsflash: government is not responsible for paying for college or farmers. That is not what government is for. Assistance for college is still available, it just is not as available. Farmers should not be paid subsidies to not grow crops. They should grow what sells and if they can't make money, it's not the governements responsibility to compensate them.

The plan, which would save the government just under $50 billion, passed 217 to 215, with 14 Republicans joining all House Democrats in opposition. Just last week, Republican leaders were forced to pull the bill from consideration after it became clear they lacked the votes for passage.

Dems are always opposed to spending cuts, but 14 so-called Republicans? I think you can still be a Republican if you support gay marriage or even if you are pro-abortion. You can not be a Republican if don't support smaller government.

The Republicans did have to compromise to get this bill passed:

Republicans salvaged the win this time only by jettisoning one of President Bush's top domestic priorities, opening Alaska's National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, then trimming planned cuts to food stamps, Medicaid and student lunch programs. Those changes pared back the measure's savings by more than $4 billion, and moderate Republicans say they expect the final version will be cut back further in negotiations with the Senate.

The Dems weren't about to budge on food stamps or Medicare, but the GOP should have pushed hard for drilling in ANWR.

At least this is a start to controlling spending. A small start, but a start none the less.