–House Republican Leaders Falter As Tea Party GOP And Dems Revolt
–Stop-Gap Spending Bill Falls in House on 197-to-225 Vote

By John Shaw

WASHINGTON (MNI) – In a stinging rebuke to the House Republican
leadership, the House Wednesday evening rejected its plan to fund the
federal government until Nov. 18 while work continues on the regular
spending bills for the 2012 fiscal year.

The FY’12 stop-gap bill was defeated on a 192-to-230 vote. Almost
all House Democrats and nearly 50 House Republicans voted against the
plan.

The Democrats voted against the measure because of what they called
inadequate funds for emergency spending.

The nearly 50 House Republicans who voted against the plan largely
came from the Tea Party wing of the party which is critical of
government spending.

Congressional leaders had thought the main elements of the
stop-gap bill were not in dispute because the overall funding level
for discretionary programs was agreed to earlier this year by the White
House and Congress.

That level is $1.043 trillion for discretionary programs in FY’12.

However, there was a fierce dispute over the level of emergency
funds. The House GOP leadership supported a package of $3.65 billion in
emergency relief while Senate Democrats support a $6.9 billion package.

Additionally, the Tea Party wing of the House GOP believes the
overall discretionary funding level for FY’12 of $1.043 trillion is too
high.

Even before the House vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said
the dispute over emergency funding could lead to a government shutdown.

The Senate had planned to take up the stop-gap bill shortly after
it cleared the House. However, it now seems likely that House Republican
leaders will have to rework the stop-gap bill and schedule another House
vote.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, the third ranking Senate Democrat, told
reporters Wednesday evening after the House vote that House GOP leaders
have two options: cutting the $1.043 trillion level to assuage the Tea
Party wing or add to the emergency funds to secure Democratic support.

He said cutting the $1.043 trillion discretionary level is a “non
starter” for Senate Democrats.

“The Senate will not accept a lower CR number,” he said.

He said the “only option” that the House GOP has is to add funds
for disaster programs.

** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **

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