–Incoming House Speaker Says House GOP Will Push Spending Cuts
–Must Do More Than Just ‘Hold The Line’ On Spending
–Would Like To Cut Discretionary Spend To FY’08 Levels
–Only Permanent Tax Cuts End ‘Uncertainty’
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – Incoming House Speaker John Boehner said Friday
that House Republicans will lead the charge next year to cut back
federal spending, repeating his vow to pare discretionary spending back
to fiscal-year 2008 levels.
At a briefing, Boehner said spending restraint and a growing
economy are essential to bring the federal deficit down.
Boehner said Congress must do more than “hold the line” on
spending.
“We are going to cut spending,” Boehner vowed.
Boehner praised passage of the $858 billion tax cut and spending
bill — that holds tax rates in place another two years — that cleared
Congress this week, calling it a “strong bipartisan vote.”
“I was glad we were able to come to an agreement,” he added.
But Boehner said that only a permanent extension of tax rates would
end “uncertainty” that is holding back the economy.
Boehner praised Senate Republicans for blocking a $1.1 trillion
omnibus spending bill Thursday that would have funded the government for
the 2011 fiscal year.
He said it represented “one last big spending spree” by
congressional Democrats which was blocked by the GOP.
Boehner said he will work with other congressional leaders on a
stop-gap spending bill, but added that neither the duration of the
package nor its funding level have been decided.
Senate Democrats and Republicans appear to be moving toward an
agreement to fund the government until Feb. 18.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
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