Conservatives are taking a stand in the House, and they’re making their liberal counterparts angry in the process. The Cut, Cap, and Balance plan passed with flying colors in the House (234–190) on Tuesday, and it is now up to the Democratic-controlled Senate to shoulder its responsibility. In fact, conservative House Members are holding out hope that the only actual bill on the debt ceiling yet to pass Congress will make it through the Senate.
Remember the auto bailout? It’s not in the front pages anymore, but last week the Congressional Oversight Panel — a body created by statute to oversee TARP spending — issued a comprehensive and critical report on Washington’s foray into Detroit. The headline news, reported in most major media: the money won’t be paid back, not in full anyway. Even if the firms return to viability, taxpayers — said the panel — will likely never be able to recoup anywhere near all of the $77 billion or so they have put …
The Club for Growth has decided to keep a running list of lawmakers who have sworn off earmarks. Just yesterday Rep. Jeb Hensarling, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, called on the House Republican leadership team, appropriators and ranking committee members to give up earmarks as part of Minority Leader John Boehner’s pledge to impose an earmark moratorium. So far, at least 10 House members have pledged to give up earmarks. According to the Club, they include: • Jeff Flake (AZ-06) • John Campbell (CA-48) • Jeb Hensarling (TX-05) • …
Rep. Jeb Hensarling, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, tonight called on the House Republican leadership team, appropriators and ranking committee members to give up earmarks as part of Minority Leader John Boehner’s pledge to impose an earmark moratorium. Support from Hensarling gives Boehner a much-needed boost in his bid to restore integrity to the appropriations process. With the RSC headed to Baltimore later this week for its annual retreat, Hensarling will have an opportunity to pressure the most conservative members of the GOP caucus to follow suit on earmarks. …
