Washington Digest: House Republicans move to start cutting

WASHINGTON -- The House voted last week to roll back discretionary federal spending to 2008 levels and end public financing of presidential campaigns.

The budget-cutting measures pushed by the Republican majority received an icy welcome in the Senate, where Democratic leaders say they will be ignored.

Meanwhile, senators rejected a series of measures aimed at modifying the filibuster rule that has sparked partisan rancor and gridlock.

Turn back the clock

The House voted 256-165 in favor of setting this year's budget at 2008 spending levels, with the exception of the military.

Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., said the resolution would put Congress on a path to reducing the "size, scope, reach and control" of the federal government.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., argued that Republicans were engaged in political theater and the resolution contained no actual numbers and made no "tough choices."

Nevada Reps. Joe Heck and Dean Heller, both Republicans, voted in favor. Nevada Rep. Shelley Berkley, a Democrat, opposed it.

Presidential campaign funding

The House voted 239-160 to eliminate public financing of presidential campaigns, a voluntary program that began in the wake of the Watergate scandal. It would do away with the $3 checkoff box on income tax returns.

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said eliminating the program should be a "no-brainer" because most of the funds are going to marginal candidates. Republicans said fewer than 10 percent of Americans participate and that savings would be $617 million over 10 years if the program is abolished.

Rep. David Price, D-N.C., argued the program aimed at restraining campaign spending should be repaired, not abandoned.

Democrats said doing away with it would result in "less transparency and less information" for voters.

Heck and Heller voted for the resolution. Berkley opposed it.

filibuster limits rejected

The Senate rejected a series of attempts to limit the use of the filibuster to either block or delay action on bills or nominations.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, didn't get much support for a proposal to gradually reduce the vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster from 60 to a simple majority.

Senators voted 84-12 against the resolution. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., voted against it.

The reform measure drawing the most support was to require those filibustering to keep talking on the floor ala "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." The Senate voted 46-49 in favor. A two-thirds majority was needed for passage.

Ensign and Reid opposed the resolution.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau reporter Peter Urban at purban
@reviewjournal.com or 202-783-1760.