Archive for the ‘Government Spending’ Category

Senators struck down two amendments that would repeal provision in the 2010 health care overhaul (PL 111-148, PL 111-152) requiring businesses to file a 1099 form to the IRS for every vendor to which they pay more than $600.

The first amendment, offered by Nebraska Republican Mike Johanns, would pay for the repeal with spending cuts.

The second proposal, by Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., did not contain offsetting language.

Johanns expressed disappointment that senators rejected his repeal effort, 61-35, which fell short of the required two-thirds vote.

“More than 40 million businesses across the country are now in jeopardy of being hit by this paperwork monsoon,” Johanns said in a statement.

Johanns argued earlier in the day on the Senate floor that a repeal must be fully offset because the midterm elections sent a clear message about how Americans view Washington’s spending habits.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the repeal of the reporting provision would increase the deficit by $19.2 billion over 10 years. The Johanns amendment would require $39 billion in spending rescissions (cuts or offsets).

Baucus, whose amendment was rejected, 44-53, warned that the Johanns version “would give the unelected director of OMB unprecedented authority to determine the source of this funding, and that would abdicate congressional responsibility over the budget.”

Sixty-six percent (66%) of voters nationwide favor a proposal to cut the federal payroll by 10% over the coming decade. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found that just 22% are opposed and 12% are not sure.

“My priorities are jobs, jobs and jobs,” said Fitzpatrick, echoing the wisdom of the American Electorate. “The bills I introduce will be designed to enable the private sector to successfully create jobs, jobs that are sustainable.”

Mike understands that collective wisdom of Americans is way ahead of the political pundits and pollsters inside the Washington beltway. He understands that federal bureaucrats hinder expansion and productivity in the private sector.

GOP’s Pledge Offers Clear Plans to End Uncertainty by Stopping Tax Hikes & Cutting Gov’t Spending
Washington

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) responded to weak third quarter GDP data by calling for immediate enactment of the Pledge to America.

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