With the stimulus package [Porkulus] in the rearview mirror, attention on Capitol Hill is beginning to turn to the next round of spending issues, which will encompass an omnibus [i.e, Porkubus not to be confused with the Porkulus] spending bill and President Obama’s first budget.When Congress returns from recess on Monday, The Wall Street Journal reports that it will take up a $410 billion omnibus spending bill. A continuing resolution passed last fall funds the government through March 6th. The omnibus would fund government operations for the rest of fiscal year 2009, which runs until September 30th. The bill is a combination of the 9 unpassed fiscal year 2009 appropriations bills, which Democrats never even tried to pass because President Bush had threatened to veto them for excessive spending. The Journal writes, “The ‘omnibus’ bill would increase discretionary spending -- funds for programs that aren't benefits like Social Security and Medicare -- by 8.7% over 2008. This would be the largest increase in discretionary spending since at least 1978 -- with the exception of a 10% boost in 2002, shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks -- according to figures from the White House Office of Management and Budget.”
As the omnibus begins to make its way through Congress, the Obama administration will unveil its budget for fiscal year 2010. According to The New York Times, the budget will show a staggering $2.7 trillion in red ink over the next decade. For comparison, according to the Bush White House’s 2009 budget, all federal spending in 2007 amounted to around $2.7 trillion. This year alone, the deficit is expected to reach at least $1.5 trillion.
With this mountain of debt staring Americans in the face, it almost seems ridiculous to see Politico’s report that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is now asking her committee chairmen to “scrutinize our budget, promote efficiency and reduce waste in government spending.” After passing an unprecedented $787 billion bill stuffed with dubious spending projects, it’s hard to believe that Democrats seriously want to address the budget deficit, though it would be a pleasant surprise if they do.
As Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell said last week, “Soon we’ll be asked to consider $50 billion for housing, and unspecified hundreds of billions — possibly even another trillion dollars — for troubled banks. We’ll also soon be voting on a $400 billion Omnibus Appropriations bill that will bring the total discretionary spending for the fiscal year to more than $1 trillion for the first time ever. This isn’t Monopoly money. It’s real. It adds up — and it has to be paid back, by our children and by their children. And the American people still don’t have the facts about the total cost.”
We’re looking at $1.1 trillion in spending, at least, and it’s not even March yet. There are still ten and a half months left in the year. How much more are Democrats going to want to spend before Congress adjourns?
Tags: bill, Congressional Pork, federal spending, omnibus bill, US Congress, US House, US Senate, Washington, D.C. To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
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