Congress averts shutdown, sends stopgap to Obama ( Senate passes 91 -9)

Reuters ^ | Wed Mar 2, 2011 12:35pm EST | Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON |

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

(Reuters) - Congress on Wednesday sent President Barack Obama a stopgap spending bill that averts an imminent government shutdown but does nothing to resolve a bitter debate over the federal budget.

By a vote of 91 to 9, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a two-week funding bill that cleared the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Obama is expected to sign the measure, which includes $4 billion in relatively noncontroversial cuts, into law before current funding expires on Friday.

The bill keeps the government running until March 18, which lawmakers say is probably not enough time to find common ground between the Republican-controlled House and the Democratic-controlled Senate on a longer-term bill to fund government operations through September.

[swain_forkbeard]

Too bad.

[Gilbo_3]

'pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake'...

ive lost hope that theres anyone serious about stopping the bleeding...

[COBOL2Java]

I think, this is the last CR that can be passed without raising the debt ceiling. So if the debt ceiling is not raised before March 18, OR a budget is not passed, then the government shuts down.

Again, I'm no expert on these things...

[Pan_Yan]

I know it’s not what people on FR want to hear, but the Republicans have made the Dems eat a budget that Republicans wrote full of cuts Obama proposed but never meant to follow through on.

It’s only a two week budget. Now Paul Ryan can drop the hammer on the rest of the fiscal year. Let’s see what he does. Trust but verify.

[henkster]

Federal spending didn’t go out of control crazy in two weeks, and it’s not going to get put under control in two weeks, either.

This is a generational war; it will take at least a generation of dedicated American commitment to smaller government to rein in the beast.

[PapaBear3625]

I think, this is the last CR that can be passed without raising the debt ceiling. So if the debt ceiling is not raised before March 18, OR a budget is not passed, then the government shuts down.

They can raise the debt ceiling by a few $billion, rather than the $trillions that Obama wants. That puts the Dems back up against the debt ceiling later in the year.

[evets]

You have until 3/18/2011 and then SHUT IT DOWN!

[Servant of the Cross]

So, you don't want a shutdown, Harry? Well, here's the only terms we'll accept or we're fine with a shut down. Take it, or leave it.

Ryan said the proposed cuts are only the beginning of Republicans' plans to decrease the debt, but declined to go into detail about his plans for cutting entitlements. He said he would like to see cuts to entitlement programs, such as Social Security and Medicaid, in President Barack Obama's upcoming 2012 budget.

This is merely a two week extension measure folks. The budget cuts have only just begun.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The Dems would like for the Republicans to shutdown the government....they think they could leverage that at the Ballot Box.

[FrankR]

[Raycpa]

$4 billion in relatively noncontroversial cuts, ?????

What in the world is a "noncontroversial cut" and why in the world do we have a budget that contains things we can cut without controversy?

[Christian Engineer Mass]

EPA.

[Jim from C-Town]

I know that it sounds kind of goofy, but if they could cut 4 billion out o the budget every two weeks they will save 104 Billion in a year.

Now if they could only cut 40 billion every two weeks they would save 1 trillion. 60 billion every two weeks and they could balance the budget.

Frightened yet?

[bvw]

You’re right that 4 billion biweekly, or 104 billion per year, in cuts is not enough. The Federal Spending in FY 2010 was $3,500 billion. It’s only 1/35th of spending.

The Federal Shortfall FY 2010 was $1,300 billion. The cuts are then only at most 1/12th of the Federal Shortfall. Has to be more than ten times more cuts.

[Servant of the Cross]

Waiting in the queue for debate on the full budget ...

H.R. 1 cuts the Environmental Protection Agency's budget by almost a third and hamstrings the EPA's ability to protect the environment and Americans' health.

"The amendment that I bring to the floor tonight would deny any and all funding to Planned Parenthood federation of America and its affiliates for the rest of the fiscal year," said Rep. Mike Pence.

[Christian Engineer Mass]

“H.R. 1 cuts the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget by almost a third and hamstrings the EPA”

Pubs need to be out there explaining this to people. Using cases like Mike and Chantell Sackett.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2681388/posts

You can’t just defund and let the democrats explain your actions. That’s how the polarize people and create extremist leftists, because the pubs aren’t out there EXPLAINING THIS STUFF.

[Oldpuppymax]

Once again, Republicans revert to being the slack-jawed, spineless pusses they are.

[Mariner]

We got N O T H I N G ! ! ! !

GOP caves. The story of our lives.

I'm tired of this crap. They get one more chance in 2 weeks. If they don't get it right then, and I am CERTAIN they won't, the GOP will not see another vote or another dollar from me, ever. No matter what.

Let's see how well they win without their base.

Yes, I am absolutely ready to see Obama win, the House go back to the dims and the Senate go to 60 dim votes in order to cleanse the GOP.

And, I believe there are millions just like me.

[iceskater]

Federal spending didn’t go out of control crazy in two weeks, and it’s not going to get put under control in two weeks, either.

This is a generational war; it will take at least a generation of dedicated American commitment to smaller government to rein in the beast.

I'm not sure we have a generation. I'm not even sure we have 2 years.