*2014 Republican Budget
“Mr. Speaker, we have ten days left in this session, this year's session, according to the schedule. We're supposed to adjourn on December 13 – somewhat ironically, Friday the 13th – and yet, Mr. Speaker, we see time is running out, and we're not addressing the critical issue and the critical responsibility of funding the government, of applying resources to our priorities.
With the House scheduled to be in session for just 11 days through the end of the year, time is running out to reach an agreement on the budget that replaces the reckless sequester, avoids another harmful and expensive government shutdown, and gives our economy and the American people the certainty they deserve.
We’ve been saying it all along: it’s imperative that budget conferees work to finalize an agreement to put our nation on a fiscally sustainable path, replace the sequester, and prevent another shutdown – and we’re pleased that GOP appropriators agree. Today, Chairman Hal Rogers and 12 Subcommittee Chairs wrote to conferees and Speaker Boehner, urging them to step up the pace, report out an agreement sooner rather than later, and allow for new appropriations bills to replace the CR.
We’ve gotten a preview of House Republicans’ agenda for 2014, courtesy of Politico, and here’s a hint: there’s not much to it. As in, it’s completely non-existent:
“Last Thursday, a group of House Republicans filed into Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s Capitol office suite and received a blank piece of paper labeled ‘Agenda 2014.’”
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
I’m disappointed that this week, House Republicans continued to waste time by voting for the 46th time to undermine the Affordable Care Act, which is already providing important patient protections to millions of Americans. Democrats have always said that would work to improve health reform to ensure it works for everyone, and the President has taken positive steps to allow insurers to continue offering plans
The across-the-board cuts of the sequester have already had a negative impact on a broad range of programs from nutrition assistance to house programs, but MSNBC describes how these cuts are going to get even worse in 2014 unless Congress takes action:
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
This week, the budget conference held its first official meeting, an important step forward in bipartisan negotiations.
With less than 20 legislative days scheduled for the remainder of the year, there are a number of critical issues that Congress should take action on immediately.
“Mr. Speaker, budget conferees are now meeting or will be meeting shortly to negotiate a budget for the remainder of this fiscal year. And they have a real opportunity to look beyond that mission and lay the groundwork for a long-term solution to our deficits that is balanced and restores certainty to our economy.
“After sixteen days of a government shutdown and weeks of uncertainty as to whether our nation would be able to pay its bills on time, the House has now passed a bill to reopen the government and prevent a catastrophic default.