House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., said Wednesday that while Republicans do not want to offset emergency fiscal year 1998 defense spending by cutting other defense programs, the leadership would consider an FY98 rescissions package.
House leaders plan to bring a $2.5 billion FY98 supplemental appropriations bill to the floor before the Easter recess to fund disaster relief and U.S. troops in Bosnia and Iraq, which, as emergency spending, does not have to be offset, although many budget hawks want it paid for.
The bill is to be considered under an open rule. When asked if he would support a package of offsetting rescissions equal to the cost of the supplement, Gingrich said, "We may make that in order as an amendment."
Rep. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told CongressDaily he plans to meet with House Budget Chairman Kasich today to locate offsets in domestic discretionary spending to cover the cost of the supplemental. "It's about time to practice one or two things we preach," Graham said.
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