hosta Proposes Committee of Un-Appropriations?

I always say that substance now is much, much better than some procedural change which is hoped to make cuts easier in the future.

But that's not to say the latter is useless.

Given our Appropriations Committee is, as usual, staffed with Appropriators, maybe this could be a useful bit of pushback.

Udall’s backing of the “anti-appropriations committee” is one of the most significant moves to embrace spending cuts by a moderate Democrat in the Senate and gives the proposal momentum and cover from potential critics, insiders say.

...

The committee itself would consist of six Republicans and six Democrats. At least once a year, the committee would introduce legislation to reduce or eliminate duplicative or wasteful programs that would receive an up-or-down vote under the “reconciliation” rules that prevent a filibuster.

Crucially, the committee would also have subpoena power to investigate potentially wasteful government programs.

...

“Many government programs were created with good intentions, but in too many cases, Congress has also created other redundant and sometimes wasteful programs rather than strategically targeting resources where they’re needed,” Udall said in a written statement. “An ‘un-authorizing’ committee would add teeth to our efforts to streamline our government, pare down our national budget, save taxpayers’ dollars and strengthen the private economy by making sure the government is as lean as ever.”

It's something.

posted by Ace at 05:06 PM

| Access Comments