Pentagon, Veterans & DHS Avoid Budget Axe
- Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:13pm by
Becket Adams
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WASHINGTON (AP/The Blaze) — Republicans controlling the House are sparing the Pentagon, military veterans and most homeland security programs from the budget knife as action begins on a set of spending bills setting the day-to-day budgets for federal agencies.
Foreign aid programs would absorb a 5 percent cut in legislation released Tuesday, while the FBI would receive a 2 percent budget hike in a separate measure.
At issue is much of the nuts-and-bolts work of Congress, going line by line through the agency budgets funded each year through 12 appropriations bills. Democrats will support several of the early bills, but the Obama administration has already promised to veto the measures because Republicans are cutting domestic programs below levels agreed to in last summer’s budget pact.
But House Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY) is frontloading the process with legislation backed by Democrats, including measures funding the departments of Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security and Defense.
Democrats spoke glowingly of a $72 billion veterans and military construction measure approved by an Appropriations subpanel by voice vote and also backed a $600 billion-plus measure funding the Pentagon and military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
But they criticized a $48 billion measure funding foreign aid and the State Department. Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) said the measure “underfunds our nation’s diplomatic efforts” and is packed with controversial policy prescriptions, including a move to stop U.S. contributions to United Nations population control efforts. Rep. Dicks says that when overseas anti-terror efforts are added to the tally, the cuts to foreign aid total 9 percent.
The Washington representative, the top Democrat on the Appropriations panel, is a key figure because it’s commonly assumed that Democratic votes will be needed to pass the measures. Some GOP conservatives simply refuse to vote for any spending measure. For instance, conservatives are likely to protest more than $5 billion in disaster aid added in accordance with last summer’s budget pact but not accounted for in the GOP budget plan that passed in March, which is likely to cost the homeland security measure support when it comes to the floor.
On Tuesday, the House turned to a measure funding the Commerce and Justice departments and science efforts such as the space program. The $51 billion measure generally matches President Barack Obama’s requests for agencies like the FBI and NASA but cuts legal aid for the poor and grants to local governments for hiring police officers.
Veterans programs would receive a 4 percent budget boost provided by cuts to construction efforts on military bases, but Rep. John Culberson (R-TX) warned that tightening budget caps will mean “really, really tough, brutal decisions in future years.”
Reps. Harold Roger, Norm Dick, & John Culberson
The Pentagon measure would boost military spending by $3 billion above President Obama’s request for core defense programs and match his $89 billion request for overseas military operations, which reflects a $27 billion cut from current levels. It also would fund a 1.7 percent pay hike for the military.
Senate leaders promise to try to revive the moribund appropriations process in that chamber, but it’s unclear how many of the 12 annual spending bills will see floor votes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Texas Conservative
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:26pmHow can you have budget cuts without a budget? Haven’t had one in over 1000 days….
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 12:46pm…Until BHO gets re-elected…
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:50amNow that the war on terror has been won, we should return to 1999 Federal budget levels within the next 5 years, and eliminate the new agencies and programs started since 15 January 2000.
This would disestablish the Transportation Safety Agency, Director of National Intelligence, and Department of Homeland Security. We would also reduce CIA staff by 12,000 employees and FBI by 15,000 and IRS by 16,500.
We would end 99 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan support and eliminate overseas contracts with Halliburton and security firms. We would cut the annual Overseas Conflict budget 50% and shut down the embassies in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq.
We would decrease Veterans Administration funding 60% and eliminate VA Hospital and facility construction. Additionally we would remove Medicare Part D, eliminate Medicare Advantage and cut Social Security 15% across the board. We would privatize or eliminate 75% of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Federal Government would return to a 5% annual Total Quality Management efficiency reduction in funds. If we work at this, it will give us an affordable future with no change to our tax laws.
ALL this is just by admitting Victory and retuirning to the Brave America we had before September 11, 2001.
Taxed Way Too Much, Already!
Report Post »WatchingAmericaDie
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 3:11amNorm Dicks (D-WA) said the measure “underfunds our nation’s diplomatic efforts”, including a move to stop U.S. contributions to United Nations population control efforts.
I wonder if there’s a way to control the liberal population. Or better yet, let’s force them into extinction.
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 12:52pmRelax…they are eating each-other aready. Get popcorn/w/butter/salt…sit….enjoy.
Report Post »If the progressives, communists and sharia-moooslims “win”, they will start fighting each other to see who will have final control….repeat first sentence… .
Detroit paperboy
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:37amSo, NapaliMano didn’t get axed ……..to bad….
Report Post »NutterButter79
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:24amHow about fixing all of the broken spending in DC? The Pentagon pays through the nose to contractors charging premium for nuts and bolts. They spend on projects that will be never finished and projects that will never work. They try to distort reality by saying that if they get cut, then our nation is at risk.
Report Post »Time to throw out all of these crooks and get real Constitutionalists in DC not those that worship the corporations or big banks.
NOT A CRAZY
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 12:30amThat is unfortunate. Why do we need the DHS?
Report Post »Hotaman
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 12:17amWhat budget? We have a budget? When did this happen?
What good is a balanced budget law, if congress won’t even follow the current law that says they have to at least have a budget?
Report Post »inblack
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 12:10amToo bad Romney will be spending just as bad as obama.
Gary Johnson is starting to look pretty good now.
Report Post »People_are_ignorant
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 12:45amHe has my vote :)
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 7:35amINBLACK. Johnson’s platform. Let‘s smoke da’ gange. AND THE “DOPES” GOES WILD!!
Report Post »OperationNorthwoods
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:58pmThe Gestapo (DHS) needs to go. It‘ll save money and people’s rights.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:44amre : the DHS has got to go.
Report Post »BOY DO WE NEED A “LIKE” BUTTON ON HERE!
lukerw
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:20pmIt’s the Obama Shell Game: Do not look at the Secretaries of State, Health, Education, Labor, FDA, & EPA… but focus upon Security & Defense!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:53pmHomeland Insecurity should have been gutted completely and laid to rest once and for all.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:04pmIt takes a lot of money to fondle peoples genitalia and colostomy bags.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:47am@Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:04pm
It takes a lot of money to fondle peoples genitalia and colostomy bags
Report Post »***
After all, it’s expensive to hire sexual offenders, they tend to have to support lawyers!
soybomb315
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:48pmi hope we find a way to protect our borders without spending money – cuz pretty soon there wont be any (money)
Report Post »right-wing-waco
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:38pmWhat we need is a 75% cut in Government Departments. What they are doing is worthless.
Report Post »right-wing-waco
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:55pmDumb computer… I meant that the cuts they are proposing are worthless.
Report Post »Ruger_45
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 12:07amI believe you have it right the first time..“what they are doing is worthless”
Report Post »AHHH we care going to cut every thing ..hmmm agg lets increase the FBI by 2 % …hey whats 2% as though the American people don’t see. Nice post Waco
Mil Mom
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:51am@Ruger_45
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 12:07am
I believe you have it right the first time..“what they are doing is worthless”
Report Post »AHHH we care going to cut every thing ..hmmm agg lets increase the FBI by 2 % …hey whats 2% as though the American people don’t see. Nice post Waco
****
But, bbbut, bbbuttt! we need to pay those guys enough to go over and read the “Rights” to the terrorists we’re capturing on the battlefield. Elsewise, we’d have to pay military to interrogate them before we finish the “catch and release!”
Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:36pmDHS Needs a BIG ax. Allen West is telling everyone that democrats want to take away benefits from veterans.Guess he is lying again.
Report Post »Patrick Henry
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:52pmMy Colonel is not a liar, you sir are not schooled to the tune of intel!
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 4:17pmSorry he is pulling a Bill Clinton on Veterans and they are making severe cuts to VA hospitals I had a kidney stent put in in Dec should have been removed in Dec guess what it’s almost June still no action.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:32pmEverything will implode.
Let me say that again, EVERYTHING.
Report Post »FromSeaToSea
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:29pmThe DHS ….. “ comrade napoleon” in Animal Farm.
A biggest fat pig of them all. Put the DHS assets up for auction and fire all the pedaphiles and rapests.
Ron Paul will.
Report Post »Belchfire V-8
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:20pmNo he won’t, he will never have the chance. Grow up and accept it.
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:29pmLet’s be clear as a veteran who served 24 years I see part of this as positive. The Military on the other hand is getting F—ed by 150 thousand troops. What I find interesting living close and still working with the army is the only open field for many soldiers is the Military Police.
Any vet can tell you what a young kid with a badge is like. Do I think a manipulation of our Military is going on? YES.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:50pm…I served 22 years in the USMC..retired 4 years ago..I agee wholeheartedly with your statement..I know many good men and woman ‘retiring’ and not of their own ‘accord’…your numbers regarding 150,000 is accurate…‘love’ that 48 billion in foreign aid amount….Thanks for your service Brother, enjoy ‘retirement’…
Report Post »inblack
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 12:02amSorry gents, the military is not an employment agency.
We are broke and we need to cut. Every agency should be on the table, but the stupid republicans can’t figure out how to lead by example, they can only lead by partisanship and so they will lose the house and we’ll get stuck with more communists running our govt.
Kinda makes you wonder what we are fighting for.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:58am@rtlw
Report Post »re : Any vet can tell you what a young kid with a badge is like. Do I think a manipulation of our Military is going on? YES.
****
That becomes more apparent every day. And with all that’s being reported of our undercover work by the Seals, and the working with this new “underwear” bomb attempt, It‘s also obvious they’re dismantling our abilities for future undercover work.
Mark0331
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 6:56am@INBLACK…IF you think the of Military as an ‘employment serevice’ you have no idea what Honor and Loyalty mean…you need to really rethink your statement and try and understand the Constitution….its an all volunteer Military…do you even realize what the word sacrifice even means? If you equate serving my Country {and you} Honorably to working at desk or swinging a hammer…then you need to grow and learn…thanks for whatever you do, at least I respect your profession…you would be the first person begging for our help if the SHTF.
Report Post »Individualism
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:27pmYeah the Nazi Thugs get funded even more to oppress the people of this country, create false flag inside job attacks like 9/11 and use it as justification to take away our rights, arrest us without trial or lawyer and send us to fema camps, but one thing were loaded and ready to fight either through the system or with the 2nd amedment.
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:27pmHere’s $1.5 BILLION!
Don’t allow Obama and Hillary Clinton to give $1.5 BILLION to the Muslim Brotherhood! Congress, you should be pitching fits about this!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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