–House Speaker: Still No Accord On Final FY’11 Spending Number
–‘Almost All Policy Issues’ Have Been Resolved
–House GOP Is ‘Not Going To Roll Over’ On Budget
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – House Speaker John Boehner Friday said he is
“hopeful” an agreement can reached on the 2011 fiscal year budget, but
said disputes remain on the level of spending cuts in the final package.
In remarks after a meeting of House Republicans, Boehner said there
is “no agreement” on a final FY’11 spending level despite repeated
statements by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that there is an
agreement on $38 billion in cuts below last year’s spending — or $78
billion below what President Obama requested.
Boehner said Republicans are “damn serious” about cutting spending.
He said the talks have resolved “almost all policy issues,” but
that no agreement will be in place until everything has been agreed to.
“We’re not going to roll over,” he said, but added that the GOP
does not want the government to shut down.
Boehner called on the Senate to pass a bill that was approved
Thursday by the House which would fund the Pentagon for the rest of
FY’11 and fund the rest of the government for one week while cutting an
additional $12 billion. It also includes a host of policy riders that
Democrats object to.
Senate Democrats and President Obama oppose the House GOP’s new
stop gap bill.
The 2011 fiscal year began on Oct. 1 and the government has run on
six short-term funding bills.
Congress’ most recent temporary spending bill for the 2011 fiscal
year will keep the federal government funded until midnight Friday.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is holding another briefing at 2
p.m. following a meeting of Senate Democrats.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
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