House Passes $1 Trillion Budget Bill, Averting Government Shutdown
- Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:04pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed a $1 trillion-plus catchall budget bill paying for day-to-day budgets of 10 Cabinet departments and averting a government shutdown.
The 296-121 vote to approve the measure represented a rare moment of bipartisanship in a polarized Capitol. Lawmakers are also seeking compromise on separate legislation to renew jobless benefits and a cut in payroll taxes.
The vote sends the measure to the Senate, which was expected to pass it on Saturday.
The bill puts in place budget curbs mandated under an August pact between President Barack Obama and Congress. It trims spending for most domestic agencies and awards the Pentagon the smallest budget hike in recent memory. It pays for overseas military operations and a slew of programs ranging from border security to flood control to combating AIDS and famine in Africa.
Many provisions sought by House Republicans were dropped from the bill before its passage, and Democrats blocked a series of GOP assaults on Environmental Protection Agency regulations, though the agency’s budget absorbed a cut of more than 3 percent.
GOP leaders did succeed in halting new rules requiring energy efficient light bulbs, delays in regulations of coal dust and eliminating federal funding of needle exchange programs.
War costs would be $115 billion, a $43 billion cut from the previous year.
The bill chips away at the Pentagon budget, foreign aid and environmental spending but boosts funding for veterans programs. The Securities and Exchange Commission, responsible for enforcing new regulations under last year’s financial overhaul, won a 10 percent budget increase, even as the tax-collecting IRS absorbed a more than 3 percent cut to its budget.
Popular education initiatives for special-needs children and disadvantaged schools were basically frozen, and Obama’s cherished “Race to the Top” initiative, which provides grants to better-performing schools, would absorb a more than 20 percent cut. The maximum Pell grant for low-income college students would remain at $5,550, but only after major cost-cutting moves that would limit the number of semesters the grants may be received and make income eligibility standards more strict.
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Comments (49)
Rayblue
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 4:30pmI knew it when I saw Boehner strutting around on TV.
Report Post »Nothing was delivered
And it’s up to you to say
just what you had in mind
when you made everybody pay.
avenger
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 5:00pmsame old shet..
Report Post »cloudsofwar
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 4:21pmhouse passes $1 trillion budget???? didn’t we vote in 2010 to stop this spending? oh yeah the republicans will stop Obama and his spending. $1 trillion budget, of course theres no coruption. the repub and dems are in bed with Obama and are lining their pockets. i was surprise when i heard this news but i shouldn’t have been. i believe Obama will get reelected because of all the coruption, thats why we have a crapy GOP field to choose from. we are sooooo screwed and our freedoms are vanishing right in front of us, not to mention our MONEY.
Report Post »1ClassicLiberal
Posted on December 17, 2011 at 1:37amClouds you are correct, we did vote to stop the spending. We elected some Patriots but didn’t go far enough. It should be painfully obvious to everyone, after four “cisis” averting budget deals that only exacerbate the out of control spending, that both the Dems and Repubs WANT the economic destruction of our Republic. Yes we need change in the Whitehouse but more importantly we need to fill Congress with Patriots. We made a good start in 2010, the Repubs were taken by surprise. It will be more difficult in 2012, they will be ready. We need to flood the primaries of both parties with Patriots. 2012 is not only the end of the Mayan Calendar, it could well be the end of America as we know Her if we don’t act.
Report Post »morristhewise
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 3:11pmThe truly poor ask for no help, they carry no beggar cups. Most can be seen leaning against a building or tree trunk, they are dressed in rags and they smell bad. Asking them if they need an ambulance will get no reply, but they will accept a few bucks if placed into their hand. Once they received the care provided by mental institutions, but pseudo mentally ill parasites filled those beds, sucked the resources of the institutions dry, harassed the truly mentally ill, and left the troubled no choice except to return to the streets.
Report Post »morecoffeeplease
Posted on December 17, 2011 at 7:26amWhat kind of Gobiltygook are you talking about?
Report Post »slvrserfr
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 3:08pmThat is downright scary when it takes $1 TRILLION just to pass a budget when this was such a controversial number when passing Obama’s nightmare healthcare bill.
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 3:05pmI don’t agree with term limits, just make it hard to become a multimillionaire during the term. No money can be made other then you base salary, no money can be deterred to your spouse. No gifts can be accepted by you or your spouse, no inside trading, Simple 401K 50% match, you pay into SS, and when you retire at 70 you get the same pension as a private first class in the military, and you can go to the VA for medical needs.
Report Post »squigs2004
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 3:58pmI disagree about not imposing term limits. All of those career politicians we got now are either out of touch with the reality of the common citizen b/c they’ve been there for so long, or they’re very deeply tied to the lobbbying dollar and ignore the will of the people. Right now the career politicians either just don’t get it, are stuck in old Cold War thinking, or are a bunch of fascists, globalists, progessives and Communists who want to shred the Constitution and impose their own “vision” of America on us against the will of the people just like our current POTUS. Term limits will help prevent all of this or put these tendencies in check.
Report Post »rush_is_right
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:58pmthat election in 2010 was a waste of time…as will be the 2012 election…
enjoy the ride down….
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:55pmWTF !!!! I’m speechless
Report Post »joehanx2
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:55pmThe bill puts in place budget curbs mandated under an August pact between President Barack Obama and Congress. It trims spending for most domestic agencies and awards the Pentagon the smallest budget hike in recent memory. It pays for overseas military operations and a slew of programs ranging from border security to flood control to combating AIDS and famine in Africa. none of this will come to pass
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 3:03pmHow much of that is being allocated to fight discrimination against LBGT people around the world? Remember, Hillary promised it just a few weeks ago.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:52pmSo once again we see the mess continue; now it goes to the Senate and Presdient for the usual complaints and junk.
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 3:36pmI am……. every bit sick……. of all of them!!!!
Report Post »freedomofspeech
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:49pmhow many times have I heard “the government going to shut down”? F F and double F A Trillion dollars, and Africa get our imaginary money. We have gone mad.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:46pmSo, how do I find out who the 121 brave souls are, that voted for this obscene thing? I refuse to call it a budget, it’s an abomination. Was it the lowly tea party people trying again for some sanity? I get on my knees and beg for this country, God please send us a George, or abe, or Ronald. We so desperately need a good man to run, and I don’t like much of what seems ahead. Michelle and Rick seem like good people but everyone wants to vote fear instead of principle. Heaven help us-we really need Devine intervention.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:48pmooops, I meant that didn’t vote for it.
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 3:26pmThere is only ONE way to get back to reality. We the people, MUST get on our knees and seek God first! Asking for specific forgiveness of those things that this nation has done against God and vowing to change direction in government. I can think of so many things we have done and are doing that go directly against God! Can we start with throwing God out of any public place? Why would God want to keep our nation strong when He cannot be recognized anywhere? How about the millions of unborn babies that have died needlessly in abortions? They each could have been taken by a loving parent somewhere, but our laws are so strict on adoption and the money you must pay in order to adopt is so high, it keeps prospective parents from doing what they want to do. How about those over 50; my God don’t hit that age, you are no longer a viable parent at 50! We can take each action and reveal just how wicked we are as a nation. How about following our founders and voting EVERY Progressive out of office; then setting Term Limits so that this problem NEVER happens again? Why are the top runners ALL Progressives in the GOP? Why don’t we have value to the public and in the public eye when we praise God, like Bachmann and Santorum? NONE of us are perfect! So why does the media attack and attack those who have character and values, but gives the worst among us the wink of the eye? Yes, we need a change as a nation. However, the change we need first is in our hearts, returning to God FIRST!
Report Post »Southernsoul
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:46pmShuting down our travisty of a government would be the best thinf to ever happen to us.
Report Post »English Major
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:33pmI recently sent an email to my senators and congressman about the federal debt. I got a form letter mailed back to me agreeing. Thank you for spending my money to generate, print, post, and pay someone every step of the way in that response. When are they going to get with the email craze and stop wasting money? That way they only have to pay the intern to sit at the computer and click the send button 50 times.
Report Post »cloudsofwar
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 4:28pmi used to send my reps e-mail as well. then i finally woke up and realized that they don’t listen or care what i want or think. they passed a $$$$1 trillion budget, are they listing to us? NO. spend spend spend and line their pockets.
Report Post »shambles
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:29pmWhy or why do we have to have a budget for aids and famine in Africa at this time?
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:29pmIsn’t it odd how these losers go to such lengths and contort themselves to make it seem like they are really accomplishing something paramount to the existence of the Republic? If there ever was a model for job security, it would have to be Congress.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:25pmWasn’t this bill 1200 pages and they had, what, a day or two to read it?
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Report Post »db321
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:32pmWhat 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars.
Did read this correctly – 1 Trillion Dollars – 1 Trillion Dollars.
Shut it down – we are now shuffling the chair around on the Titanic.
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:18pmCut here, add there…it all adds up to the same.
NoBama 2012
Report Post »Reboot Washington
jiminy
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:17pmI believe Democrats are realizing that it could be time to smarten up and start doing something for the country. I also think its time to vote all House and Senate members R&D out and get a new start for a semi new century,new people can not do any worse than what we have now
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:24pmflat tax – term limits – balance budget ….only then will we see america great again…………but until then vote anyone out that has served more than 2 terms
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 3:00pmI don’t agree with term limits, just make it hard to become a multimillionaire during your term. No money can be made other then you base salary, no money can be deterred to your spouse. No gifts can be accepted by you or your spouse, no inside trading, Simple 401K 50% match, you pay into SS, and when you retire at 70 you get the same pension as a private first class in the military, and you can go to the VA for medical needs.
Report Post »NC1
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:17pmIts time to shut it down, clean it out and start it over with tougher rules for those who think they have free reign to our money. Balanced budget, term limits, throw out the lobbyist and limited time for congress to be in session, that seems like a good place to start.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:15pm“ It trims spending for most domestic agencies ”
Oh? So spending is less with this budget than it was, say, last year? No? I didn’t think so.
“War costs would be $115 billion, a $43 billion cut from the previous year.”
What war? We‘re not at war and haven’t been since 1945. Semantics aside, I have the same question for this, as I did above. If I’m not mistaken Rand Paul took this chicanery crap to the mat and showed that they never, ever cut anything, but only “reduce the increase in spending”.
Spare us the dramatic language and stagecraft, D.C.. Gads but I’m getting tired of all of these petty Neros fiddling while Rome burns.
Report Post »NC1
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:18pmAmen.
Report Post »NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:20pmPoliticians keep their cronies fed if you like it or not. Be a lobbyist make millions, be a politician make millions and they help their cronie business make billions or fake business as in the Green machine
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:14pmHooray! Another trillion to blow…Hooray!
Report Post »Spyder
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:14pmFacepalm…Another Trillion that we don’t have to spend. Who are we borrowing it from this time, or are we just going to print some more?
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:11pmDarn. I was hoping for a stoppage to the incompetence. There goes more our money down a rat hole. I wish they.would go back to the use of the “b” word, and stop using the “t” word.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:11pmThey need to shut it down for good…….. Nobody would notice except lazy fat smelly worthless govt. Leeches…..They have become , what our founders feared most….
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:08pm“Bipartisanship” means… we are all screwed!
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:24pmThis country has been finished for a while. I blame myself for being tolerant.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 2:38pm@TSUNAMI-22
Report Post »I do not accept that the fault is in each Citizen… who listens to and votes for Candidates, where they enter Government Jobs and do things that we oppose. I blame the lack of Accounatability as the problem… where if this was the days of the Founders, they would be Run out of Town or Lynched!