House of Representatives Delays Budget Vote
Posted by Nancy Roach on April 8th, 2006
The House has adjourned for their two-week spring recess without voting on the 2007 budget resolution. According to the April 7 Los Angeles Times, “Opposition to the budget among Republican moderates and a power struggle between a faction of conservatives and the GOP-controlled Appropriations Committee forced party leaders to either pull the measure or suffer a humiliating defeat.”
Additional information: April 7 2006 Kaiser Family Foundation Daily Health Report
The House budget proposed significant cuts to health and education, including funding for cancer research and prevention programs. The Senate budget restored funding to these critical programs with the Specter-Harkin Amendment.
Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced an amendment that would restore funding in the House budget; this amendment was defeated. Representative Mike Castle (R-DE) introduced a similar amendment; however, the House adjourned without acting on the proposal.
Why does this matter?
House members are hearing from voters who are unhappy with proposals to cut programs such as cancer research and prevention. The phone calls, emails and faxes from thousands of constituents are having an impact!
So stay tuned. Once Congress is back from their Spring Break, we will need everyone’s help to keep up the momentum!
