The White House May Veto Republican-Backed Budget Cuts
The White House has made it clear that President Joe Biden is prepared to use his veto powers to stop two Republican-backed appropriations bills proposing significant budget cuts on federal agencies. These bills are scheduled for a vote this week.
If Congress passes a bill and the president vetoes it, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
In two statements of Administration Policy released on October 30, the Biden administration expressed its opposition to the bills and stated that if presented to President Biden, he would veto them. You can read the statements here and here.
The White House also took the opportunity to criticize House Republicans for seeking larger spending cuts than what was agreed upon between the White House and former House Speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in May.
Rep. McCarthy was removed as House speaker through a vote initiated by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). Gaetz’s main complaint against McCarthy was that he facilitated the passage of legislation opposed by Republicans in his own party with support from elected Democrats.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) talks with reporters after the House failed to elect a new speaker on the first round of votes at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Oct. 17, 2023. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
“The Administration negotiated in good faith with House Republican Leadership on bipartisan legislation to avoid a first-ever default and protect the Nation’s hard-earned and historic economic recovery,” the White House said.
“House Republicans had an opportunity to engage in a productive, bipartisan appropriations process, but instead are wasting time with partisan bills that cut domestic spending to levels well below the FRA agreement and endanger critical services for the American people.”
The two proposed bills would make significant cuts to multiple federal agencies. The Department of Transportation, for example, would lose around $7 billion compared to its 2023 funding levels.
Housing and Urban Development funding would be reduced by $1.2 billion compared to 2023 levels, while the EPA’s funding would be reduced by nearly $4 billion, bringing it to funding levels not seen since FY 1991, according to the White House.
For these bills to pass, they would need to be approved by the GOP-controlled House and the Democratic-controlled Senate. Currently, the GOP holds a slight majority in the House.
Funding Deadline Fast Approaching
The White House’s veto threats come as lawmakers face a November 17 deadline to fund the government.
In his final act as speaker, Rep. McCarthy, with the support of House Democrats, passed a stopgap spending bill in the lower chamber to keep the government funded until November 17.
Newly-elected House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who was relatively unknown in the capital’s political scene prior to becoming speaker, still needs to pass seven of the 12 annual appropriations bills to avoid another government shutdown. So far, only five of the 12 bills have passed through the House, and none have been approved by the Senate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Oct. 26, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
The ongoing political standoff over raising the federal debt ceiling has been a year-long battle. The debt ceiling, set by Congress, limits the total amount of debt the government can hold. In the past, Congress would raise the cap when approaching the limit. However, Republicans have been calling for spending cuts instead as the national debt surpasses $33 trillion.
On Monday, the U.S. Treasury estimated that it will need to borrow nearly $1.6 trillion in net new debt over the next six months.
What are the proposed budget cuts in the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act?
Base”>Senate Approves Stopgap Funding Bill, Averting Government Shutdown
10/1/2023
The appropriations bills in question are the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for the year 2024. The bills propose significant budget cuts on federal agencies in these sectors.
The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act covers funding for agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. The proposed budget cuts could adversely affect these agencies’ ability to carry out their missions and protect the environment.
The Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, on the other hand, allocates funds for transportation infrastructure projects, affordable housing programs, and urban development initiatives. The proposed cuts in this sector could result in delays in infrastructure improvement projects and reduced access to affordable housing.
The Biden administration has expressed strong opposition to these budget cuts and argues that they would hinder progress in addressing environmental challenges and improving the country’s infrastructure. President Biden has repeatedly emphasized the need for investing in clean energy, protecting public lands, and ensuring affordable housing for all Americans.
Given the president’s strong stance on these issues, it is not surprising that he is prepared to use his veto powers to prevent these appropriations bills from becoming law. The White House’s statements make it clear that President Biden views these budget cuts as detrimental to the goals and priorities of his administration.
However, a veto from the president does not necessarily mean the end of the road for these appropriations bills. Congress has the power to override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It remains to be seen whether there is enough support in Congress to override a potential veto.
The budget cuts proposed in these appropriations bills are part of the larger debate over government spending and fiscal responsibility. Republicans argue that reducing the federal budget is necessary to control the national debt and prioritize essential programs. Democrats, on the other hand, advocate for increased government spending to address societal needs and promote economic growth.
This clash of ideologies is not new and has been a recurring theme in American politics. It highlights the challenges faced by lawmakers in reaching a consensus on budgetary issues. The ability to compromise and find common ground will be crucial in determining the fate of these appropriations bills.
As the appropriations bills move forward to a vote, it is expected that both Democrats and Republicans will engage in intense negotiations and lobbying efforts to advance their respective positions. The outcome of these negotiations will determine the funding levels for federal agencies and the success of key policy initiatives.
While the White House’s threat of a veto adds another layer of complexity to the budgetary process, it also underscores the importance of robust checks and balances in the American political system. The power of the president to veto legislation ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful and that decisions are made in the best interest of the nation as a whole.
Ultimately, the fate of these appropriations bills lies in the hands of Congress. Whether through a successful override of a presidential veto or through bipartisan negotiations, lawmakers will shape the future of federal funding and the direction of the country.
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