–Senate Majority Leader Continues To Hammer GOP On Policy Rider
–‘An Agreement Was Reached’ On FY’11 Spending
–‘Ridiculous’ To Shut Government Over Planned Parenthood Rider
–Will Offer Bill To Fund Troops For FY’11, Gov For Week
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said again
Friday that bipartisan budget talks that took place at the White House
Thursday night reached an accord on the level of spending for the final
fiscal year 2011 spending bill.
At a briefing with most Senate Democratic senators, Reid said “an
agreement was reached” on a package that cuts spending by $78 billion
below what President Obama first proposed and $38 billion below current
funding levels.
“There is no question about the number,” Reid said.
But Reid said House Republicans continue to insist on attaching a
provocative policy rider to the spending bill that would prohibit
federal funds for Planned Parenthood.
It said it would be “ridiculous” to shut down the federal
government over a rider to restrict women’s health care programs.
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 Friday.
House Republicans Thursday passed another temporary spending bill
that would fund the Pentagon for the rest of FY’11 and fund the rest of
the government for one week while cutting an additional $12 billion. It
also includes a host of policy riders that Democrats object to.
Reid said the new House stop-gap bill is a “non-starter” and will
not pass in the Senate.
He said he is drafting an alternative bill that would fund the
military for the rest of FY’11 and fund the rest of the government for a
week without additional spending cuts or policy riders.
But he added that passing this would require the unanimous consent
from the Senate.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
[TOPICS: M$U$$$,MFU$$$,MCU$$$]
