“Appropriators and GOP Leadership are to Blame,” Schatz says

(Washington, D.C.) – Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today faulted the House Appropriations Committee and Republican House leaders for undermining several proposals to curb federal spending.  The proposals include a moratorium on pork-barrel projects, the creation of “firewalls” that would prevent appropriators from shifting funds among different departments, and a budget reform package.  CAGW also blamed the self-described “budget hawks” behind the proposals for backing down too easily.

“The appropriators are terrified of losing the power to pull strings for special interests and favored constituencies,” Schatz said.  “The subversion of sensible budget rules endorsed by conservatives and moderates alike proves once and for all the unparalleled power of the appropriators’ cabal.”    

The U.S. House of Representatives is now beginning consideration of the fiscal 2005 federal budget.  House Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle (R-Iowa) has proposed a budget resolution that would halve the budget deficit in four years by freezing non-defense, discretionary spending at fiscal 2004 levels and banning earmarks for pork-barrel projects for one year.

“With a projected deficit of $500 billion, now is the time for across-the-board spending cuts,” Schatz continued.  “Pet projects are the perfect place to start because everyone feels the pinch but none of the spending is essential.”

The Hill reports that members of the House leadership have opposed imposing a moratorium on earmarks in the House this year, despite many conservatives in the GOP voicing support for such a freeze.  Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said that many GOP lawmakers are “boiling with frustration” over earmarks.  However, a spokesman of Rep. Nussle clarified that he did not push strenuously for the freeze but only suggested it as an option. He also disclosed that the firewall provision has been dropped from recent budget negotiations.

“The House Budget Committee should be fighting for taxpayers tooth and nail,” Schatz continued.  “Furthermore, the Republican leadership needs to stop hiding and make clear where they stand on this critical issue.” 

The only remaining initiative in the House budget resolution is an “instruction” to various committees to eliminate wasteful spending in mandatory spending programs.  Rep. Nussle said he may mark up the package tomorrow.  But appropriators have said they will claim jurisdiction over the reform package, meaning that any provisions would have to meet the approval of the Appropriations Committee.

“Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.) has pledged to kill any meaningful budget reform,” Schatz concluded.  “Even a toothless recommendation for vague cuts will be torn out by the power-hungry appropriators.  In the end, it’s all for show.  Members of Congress apparently sleep well at night after making only a token attempt to correct the deficit.”

Citizens Against Government Waste is the nation's largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.