UPDATED Open Thread: Boehner plan passes 218-210

By Michael Fletcher | Friday, July 29th, 2011 | Politics

Again, the GOP controlled House of Representatives has passed legislation to deal with the Nation’s budget.

H.R. 2693 passed moments ago.

It’s up to the White House and the Senate now to do something. At this point…anything.

Developing…

From Virginia’s Congressional Delegation:

Forbes’ Statement on Vote in Favor of Budget Control Act 

Washington, D.C. – Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) released the following statement upon voting in favor of the Budget Control Act, which passed the House of Representatives this evening by a vote of 218-210:

“This evening, I cast my vote in favor of legislation that prevents our nation from going into default and staves off the serious repercussions that would follow. Even as the Senate has failed to vote on any plan and the President has yet to publicly articulate a formal proposal, this is the second plan that I have supported and the House has passed to address our nation’s debt crisis. I firmly believe that it was important to support this legislation in order to reach a vote on and pass a Balanced Budget Amendment, our best hope at regaining our financial footing.”

The Budget Control Act addresses the nation’s debt crisis by creating a two-step process for the President to increase the debt limit by as much as $2.5 trillion, following the enactment of $2.7 trillion in spending cuts and other deficit reduction measures. The bill also creates a bipartisan Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction composed of 12 lawmakers to recommend $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction in order to achieve the total $2.7 trillion in spending cuts. The measure requires the House and Senate to pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and send it to the states for ratification prior to again agreeing to lift the debt ceiling.

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Robert Hurt Votes In Favor Of The Budget Control Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Hurt (R-VA) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Budget Control Act of 2011, which puts in place short and long term spending reforms to rein in government spending while minimizing the risk that our markets will be negatively impacted. The bill passed the House by a vote of 218-210:

“Once again, the House has led and done its job by passing a second bill that puts in place commonsense spending reforms to get our fiscal house in order while minimizing the risk that our markets will be negatively impacted.

“While this plan is far from perfect, it moves us further in the right direction by putting our nation on a more sound fiscal footing and forcing Washington to live within its means without imposing job-crushing tax hikes on our families and small businesses that would jeopardize our economic recovery.

“It cuts government spending by $917 billion, which is more in cuts than the $900 billion increase in the debt limit. It establishes enforceable spending caps on discretionary spending, provides us with an opportunity for another $1.8 trillion in cuts in discretionary and mandatory spending by the end of the year, and requires the passage of a balanced budget amendment.

“While remaining committed to delivering on the message sent by 5th District Virginians to change the spending culture in Washington, the House has now presented the Senate and Administration with two balanced solutions to our debt limit crisis.

“Unfortunately, despite the heated rhetoric and politically-motivated speeches that we have heard from the Senate and White House, their irresponsible inaction, failure of leadership, and steadfast commitment to the current spending status quo has serious consequences for the people of the 5th District and the nation.

“For the sake of our country and our economic recovery, it is time that the Senate and Administration put partisan politics aside, take action, and adopt one of the House-passed measures so we can bring this debate to a close and move our nation forward.”

Background Information

The Budget Control Act of 2011 cuts spending by $917 billion over 10 years, which is more than the $900 billion debt hike. It cuts $22 billion in spending for Fiscal Year 2012. It also requires a plan by December that cuts at least $1.8 trillion more. It establishes enforceable spending caps on discretionary spending and requires the passage of a balanced budget amendment that must be sent to the states. The plan does not raise taxes.

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Rigell Votes in Support
of Measure to Prevent Default

Senate, President now have two options
from House of Representatives

Washington, July 29 – Now providing the Senate and President Obama with not one but two options to allow America to fully meet its financial obligations, Representative Scott Rigell (VA-02) voted in favor of the Budget Control Act of 2011 which would cut $917 billion in total discretionary spending over 10 years. The bill also specifies that a newly-formed, bipartisan and bicameral Congressional committee must produce spending cuts larger than the hike and a Balanced Budget Amendment must be sent to the states before the president can request a second tranche of debt authority.

The bill passed the House Friday evening by a vote of 218-210 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Rigell said:

“I cast my vote in support of the Budget Control Act of 2011 and was pleased with the changes made to it. There has been spirited debate on this plan, and I started out the week undecided on this bill. After reading the bill and the speeches delivered by the Speaker and the President, I came to the firm conclusion that this measure is the best plan to put America on a better fiscal path.

“This solution cuts discretionary spending by $917 billion while raising the debt ceiling by up to $900 billion and accomplishes this without raising taxes. This is crucial when our economy is in recession. It is the most viable path to keeping America from default and preserving our country’s AAA credit rating. A lowered credit rating would inevitably raise interest rates on every American and every American business. This higher interest would also increase our nation’s interest expense and contribute to our already crushing debt.

“I’m also pleased about the new requirement for a Balanced Budget Amendment, which has been one of my top priorities in Congress,” Rigell said. “I’ve been a business man all my life. And one thing I’ve learned is that the best indicator of future performance is past performance. If you look at the performance of Congress over the last few decades, there has either been an unwillingness or inability to do the right thing with respect to the budget. I have very little confidence that Congress or the President — unless forced to send a Balanced Budget Amendment to the States — will do what is necessary to meet the obligation we have to the next generation of Americans.”

“Now some will argue this bill doesn’t cut spending enough. Frankly, I don’t disagree; we need to continue to press our colleagues in Washington to cut more federal spending. However, I see this as a vote that moves forward our conservative, and I think common sense, fiscal plan. We said we wouldn’t raise the debt ceiling without spending cuts and a vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment. And we haven’t.

“We have now given the Senate and the President two paths forward. The ball is, once again, in their court. I hope they will work with us to protect our economy from further damage.”

Wittman Statement on the Budget Control Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement after his vote in favor of the Budget Control Act (S. 627 as amended):

“This bill is not perfect, but it is a positive step toward a more responsible government with a structural change in spending,” Wittman said. “This bill cuts spending and caps spending levels, while also requiring Congress to balance the budget each year through a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. Failure to act will cause our interest rates to go up in every way imaginable, affecting every single American, while also undermining our nation’s financial credibility. I will continue to fight the culture of unchecked, irresponsible spending. Our country’s future depends on her leaders making tough decisions in tough times – Congress must do the responsible thing and get this done.”

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee where he is the Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

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GRIFFITH STATEMENT ON BUDGET CONTROL ACT

WASHINGTON – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement today regarding his vote on the Budget Control Act of 2011:
“Over the past several weeks, I have been listening to many folks in the 9th District who are rightfully concerned with our nation’s debt and, like I am, are frustrated by Washington’s lack of spending discipline. Many have urged me to make a common sense compromise, and even some of those who oppose the Boehner plan understand the need to do something to bring about stability and peace of mind to the American public. After reviewing constituent comments, I made the difficult decision to compromise and vote for the Budget Control Act in order to avert economic harm from a potential financial panic. “This bill is far from perfect. I voted for it, but I had to hold my nose while doing so. The bill centers on raising the debt ceiling by less than a trillion dollars. In order to strengthen America’s future, the first year spending cuts in the Speaker’s plan should be larger, but it is a realistic approach and a step in the right direction. I was assured by House leadership that each week Congress will keep its focus on cutting spending. The bill also holds Congress and the White House accountable by assuring that before the debt ceiling is raised again, we would get a Balanced Budget Amendment sent to the states for approval and get either more spending cuts or another chance to debate overall government spending by spring of 2012. “By definition, compromise is not ideal, but we cannot give President Obama a blank check.” ###

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