The House today defeated, 347-81, legislation that would have required Congress and the president to meet specific budget and revenue targets or take corrective action.
Supporters of the bill had argued the legislation would ensure enforcement of the balanced budget deal, but opponents said it could stall tax cuts and result in Social Security cuts.
Supporters of the legislation had been guaranteed a floor vote on the bill as part of a deal to gain votes for the balanced budget plan. But key Republicans argued the bill, introduced by Reps. Joe Barton, R-Texas, and David Minge, D-Minn., would not be effective.
Following the vote, a key supporter -- Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn. -- said the bill had been sabotaged. He said groups, particularly veterans organizations, had been "whipped up" to oppose it and the House Rules Committee had prohibited supporters from offering an amendment they said would have improved the bill.
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