CJS Appropriations Bill – Loaded with Spending Increases – Passes the House

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fiscal Year 2010 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill passed the U.S. House today on a vote of 259-157. The CJS Appropriations bill contains a total of $64.4 billion, which is $6.8 billion or 11.7% above last year’s level, and $197 million below the President’s budget request. 

 

The rate of overall spending in this bill corresponds with the Democrat Majority’s budget blueprint that increases non-defense, discretionary spending by 12% over last year. When all Appropriations spending is combined, the Democrat majority has increased non-defense, non-veterans discretionary spending by 85% over the last two fiscal years.

 

House Appropriations Ranking Republican Jerry Lewis indicated his support for many important national programs in the bill - but remained staunchly opposed to the overall, massive increase in spending it contained.

 

“We simply cannot keep increasing funding for every government program under the sun without heed to long-term damage to our economy. There are many good and necessary programs in the CJS bill, but throwing money hand-over-fist into these federal agencies without making any tough decisions to trim spending or slow the rate of growth is a recipe for financial disaster,” Lewis said.

 

Republican Members attempted to offer many amendments to rein in spending in this bill. However, in an unprecedented move, the Democrat Majority cut off debate almost immediately after starting - under the argument that the process was taking too long - and changed the rules to eliminate the ability of Members to offer the majority of their amendments on the floor.

 

“The action by the Majority to change the rules in the middle of the game takes away the rights of all Members of Congress - not just the minority. Not only have this effectively silenced the voices of millions of Americans who think Congress is spending too much, it has also paved the way for even more rampant, unchecked spending as we go forward,” Lewis said.

 

Of the amendments that were ultimately allowed to the CJS bill, Republicans offered attempts to cut over $14 billion from the bill’s total. All were defeated.