Politics

Out of Control Spending

The House of Representatives considers the majority of legislation under suspension of the rules. This procedure is generally used to quickly pass non-controversial and less expensive bills, such as naming post offices or honoring the achievements of Members? constituents back home. Such bills only require a two-thirds majority to pass, and Members cannot offer amendments to the legislation. More controversial legislation, on the other hand, is typically considered by the House ?under a rule,? which requires a majority of Members voting ?Yea? to pass, as opposed to two-thirds majority. Rule bills are typically reviewed by the Congressional Committee that has jurisdiction over the bill. Rule bills are also generally debated for longer periods of time on the House floor and can be amended.

In the first six months of 2008, under Democrat Leadership, the House has passed legislation under suspension of the rules costing a total of $35.8 billion in authorized (promised) funds over five years, plus $43.6 billion in mandatory (required) spending over five years.

It is unacceptable that Congress would pass legislation without significant committee analysis, an appropriate amount of time to debate the legislation, and without an opportunity for Members to amend the bills. We are spending our future generations money.

Current Federal spending trends are leading toward an unprecedented level of taxes or debt that we will never be able to afford. Total mandatory spending has increased from less than 30 percent of the Federal budget in 1960 to about 53 percent today. Congress must reform budgetary rules to control its spending to prevent our children and grandchildren from paying for our negligence.
Sarah Beatty, Senior Legislative Assistant to Rep. K. Michael Conaway
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Full post as published by Mike Conaway's Blog on July 16, 2008 (boomark / email).