The White House Threatens Veto on Republican-Backed Budget Cuts
The White House has made it clear that President Joe Biden is prepared to veto two appropriations bills proposed by Republicans, which would result in significant budget cuts for federal agencies. This move comes as the bills are set to be voted on this week.
Using his veto powers, the president can prevent a bill passed by Congress from becoming law. However, Congress has the ability to override the veto with a two-thirds majority 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 following 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 within 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 stated.
“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 White House added.
The two proposed bills would result in billions of dollars in cuts to various federal agencies. The Department of Transportation, for example, would face a reduction of approximately $7 billion compared to the funding levels of fiscal year 2023.
Housing and Urban Development funding would be cut by $1.2 billion compared to 2023 levels, while the EPA’s funding would be reduced by nearly $4 billion, bringing it to 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, pushed a stopgap spending bill through 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 assuming the role, 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, with none 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 major issue throughout the year. The debt ceiling, set by Congress, limits the total amount of debt the government can hold. In the past, Congress typically raised the cap when approaching the limit. However, Republicans have recently called for spending cuts instead as the national debt surpasses $33 trillion.
According to estimates from the U.S. Treasury, the government expects to borrow nearly $1.6 trillion in net new debt over the next six months, covering this quarter and the next.
What are the arguments of the White House and Republicans regarding these budget cuts and their impact
Senate Approves Stopgap Funding Bill, Averting Government Shutdown
9/30/2023
The appropriations bills in question are the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2024 (H.R. 4821) and the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2024 (H.R. 4820).
The Republican-backed budget cuts included in these bills have drawn criticism from the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress. They argue that these cuts would significantly impact key federal agencies and their ability to carry out their missions effectively.
The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2024 funds key agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of the Interior, and the Forest Service. The bill proposes a 25% cut to the EPA’s budget and eliminates funding for climate change programs. It also includes cuts to the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service.
The Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2024 funds agencies such as the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The bill includes a 35% cut to the Department of Transportation’s budget, which would impact infrastructure projects and transportation programs.
The White House argues that these budget cuts would hinder the government’s ability to address pressing issues such as climate change, infrastructure development, and affordable housing. They argue that investing in these areas is crucial for the country’s future and that cutting funding would be detrimental to long-term progress.
Republicans, on the other hand, argue that these budget cuts are necessary to reduce government spending and address the national debt. They believe that prioritizing fiscal responsibility is important and that reducing funding for certain agencies and programs is a step in the right direction.
As the bills are set to be voted on this week, the White House’s threat to veto them adds another layer of tension and uncertainty to the budget process. If President Biden follows through with his veto threat, it would require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of Congress to override the veto and pass the bills into law.
The outcome of these appropriations bills will have significant implications for federal agencies and the programs and services they provide. It will also shed light on the ongoing debates between the Biden administration and Republicans regarding the country’s spending priorities and the role of government in addressing key issues.
As the deadline for passing a budget approaches, the negotiations and discussions surrounding these bills will likely intensify. The ability of both sides to reach a compromise will be crucial in determining the outcome and shaping the trajectory of federal spending in the coming year.
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