House Republicans pass massive cuts to federal budget

The House has passed a continuing resolution that cuts more than $60 billion in federal spending for the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year.

The resolution, which now goes on to the Seante, was passed after four days of intense debate during which 500 amendments were submitted. Of these, 70 were voted on and 50 rejected. In the end, three Republicans joined all House Democrats in voting no on the measure.

Among the many items that are defunded, 62.5% or $2.5 billion dollars is cut from the Community Development Block Grant program.

The fate of the measure is in doubt as majority Democrats in the Senate have already pronounced that it is dead on arrival. And, given this week's "Presidents Day" holiday recess, the Senate won't even begin work on the funding bill until its return on February 28th.

In the meantime, House Republicans appear to be hardening their stance on any kind of new stop-gap measure by March 4th, the date the current funding resolution expires.  Members of the House Republican freshman class, 87 strong, have indicated their opposition to even a short-term extension while a longer one is negotiated.

Look for more information shortly about the proposed cuts, but over the course of the next week its is vitally important for local officials to speak with their congressional representatives about the impact cuts in programs like CDBG will have on their communities.

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.