By Mimikatz
The margin this time was only two votes, but the House passed its Budget Reconciliation Bill by 214-216. This, astute readers will recall, is the bill which the Senate kicked back to the House so conservatives could give some thought over Christmas to whether they really wanted to cut student aid, child support enforcement, Medicaid and many other programs and services for the less fortunate half of the population. Although the Dems held together (link courtesy of The Left Coaster), and the GOP lost the votes of Rob Simmons (R-CT),. Jim Gerlach (D-PA), John Sweeney (R-NY), and Ramstad (R-MN), one "no" vote switched to "yes" (Steve Buyer) and Walter Jones (R-NC), who had not previously voted, voted No.
This budget not only made cuts in child support enforcement funds, it contained within its folds the entire reauthorization of welfare reform (remember that?). These cuts will now pave the way for more tax breaks for the fortunate few who have already benefited handsomely from the Bush tax cuts. There will be ab accountability moment this November. make the most of it.
Gerlach should have an R next to his name.
Posted by: Newsie8200 | February 01, 2006 at 22:20