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Bill to eliminate inefficient programs pulled from House floor

CongressDaily July 28, 2006

House Republican leaders pulled from the floor legislation by Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., designed to eliminate inefficient and unnecessary federal programs, after it became apparent Thursday that enough Republicans had lingering concerns and would not vote for the measure.

Among those concerned was Appropriations Chairman Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., who said the legislation "is not a big project of mine, but I'm not supporting it."

Transportation-Treasury Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Joseph Knollenberg, R-Mich., said the bill was "another budget mechanism that compromises the appropriators' role."

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A source close to the legislation said it was "the victim of a bigger issue," claiming the debate was "coming down to the war between Chairman Lewis and the [Republican Study Committee]," citing an ongoing debate on legislation overhauling earmarks and granting the president line-item veto power.

The staffer said Lewis had made his opposition to the bill known to his subcommittee chairman.

Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill., an appropriator, said that while "no one has talked to me about it," he opposes the bill, adding that "we don't need a commission to evaluate these agencies; that's what we're elected for."

Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman C.W. (Bill) Young, R-Fla., said establishing a commission was "a copout. It just passes the buck on something we should be doing as legislators."

A spokesman for Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said the bill might return to the floor after the August recess.

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COMMENTS

  • I find it really disturbing that Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill., would make such a statement. My God, how much less attention could the Congress pay to such matters as waste? Lawmakers do not care about the corrupted processes in the government, the laws being violated by federal agencies or the people being harmed because of this. I am absolutely ashamed of our congressional representative, Senator Mike DeWine, for ignoring these problems and blaming government problems on his opponent in TV adds as he runs for re-election. Political affiliations don’t matter. If Rep. LaHood was in my district I would be raising money for the tar and feathers. Enough already. Robert M. Posted July 31, 2006 1:43 PM
  • How about just replacing it with a bill to eliminate inefficient management? The problem doesn't lie solely with the programs; it's the self-serving inbred finalists put in charge of them. The Gunny GovExec.com reader Posted August 1, 2006 6:17 AM
  • Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill., an appropriator, said that while "no one has talked to me about it," he opposes the bill, adding that "we don't need a commission to evaluate these agencies; that's what we're elected for." LaHood absolutely is correct but they are not doing their job! How in the world can Congress do its job when it works only 76 days a year? Lawmakers get full pay for doing one third of their job! They should meet 160 days a year and should have specific committees to evaluate each agency and determine if the agency is meeting any public purpose that justifies the amount of money we are spending on each agency. The Energy Department should be first because they were supposed to develop alternative fuels back in 1973 when they were created to take care of the oil (gasoline) problems back then. We have the same problems today and the Energy Department is issuing the same crap now that they did in the 1970's. Get rid of them and their cost and the tax we save may help offset gasoline prices. Also, why did Congress and the president allow China into the WTO without studying the impact on gasoline prices and the prices of all raw materials (copper, iron, etc.). Our price increases are a direct result of incompetent politicians making economic decisions that they should not be making! Taxpayer Posted July 31, 2006 7:50 AM
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