MOUNT VERNON — Less than two months into his efforts to bring common sense back to the federal government, 18th District Congressman Bob Gibbs feels that Saturday’s approval of major spending cuts is a step in the right direction.
The House passed a continuing resolution by a vote of 235 to 189, in the early morning hours Saturday, that cuts $61 billion in federal spending.
“We need to put our fiscal house in order,” Gibbs told the News during a visit to its offices on Tuesday.
The current continuing resolution expires on March 4. Without passage of funding through the end of the fiscal year in September, or temporary funds, no monies will be available to operate government offices.
“Government could shut down. Hopefully not — that’s not our intent. Our intent is to cut spending,” Gibbs said.
Being part of such a historic vote was exciting for Gibbs, who is one of 87 new Republicans in Washington. He said he and his fellow freshmen campaigned to bring common sense back to Washington and to cut unnecessary spending that comes directly from the pockets of American citizens and the businesses which employ them.
The bill was proposed under open rule which allows members to add amendments to proposed bills with the opportunity to debate.
“That’s why we had 95 hours of debate,” Gibbs said.
The closed rule option does not allow for amendments or debate.
The bill will now be reviewed by the Senate. Gibbs, however, believes both chambers will be reviewing the bill when they reconvene next week because it is anticipated the Senate will reject the bill.
“The deficit spending and debt is really the root of all of our problems. We’ve got to cut the spending,” Gibbs said.
Currently, according to Gibbs, under President Barack Obama’s proposed budget, it will cost 25 cents out of every dollar collected to run the federal government. Historically, that figure was between 18 and 20 cents per dollar.
samantha.scoles@mountvernonnews.com
