McCotter proposes eliminating his own leadership office

House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Thaddeus McCotter (Mich.) on Tuesday proposed shutting down the House Republican Policy Committee.

McCotter, the chairman of the leadership-level group, proposed eliminating the committee, toshow that House Republicans are scrimping in their own budgets.

"Thus, the Republican House Policy Committee (RHPC) must be abolished; its budget dedicated to deficit reduction; and the Democrats challenged to match our example," McCotter wrote to colleagues Tuesday in a legislators' alert.

McCotter said the idea, which he'd floated before, could save $360,000 in taxpayer funds devoted to the committee,  and that he'd spoken last week with House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) about the proposal.

The Michigan Republican, who serves as the fourth-ranking member of the House GOP leadership, said the policy committee's inability to pass legislation and redundancy with other leadership offices' policy shops made it unnecessary. Members of the committee could channel their efforts into other working groups organized by Boehner, McCotter wrote.

"If we fail to eliminate the RHPC, how can we credibly ask Americans to sacrifice for deficit and debt reduction when we will not first cut ourselves?" he said. "The doubters say we will not eliminate the RHPC.  They claim all Washington politicians care about is their titles, power and taxpayer provided perks. But per my conversation with Leader Boehner last week, I have no doubt that with his and your leadership we will prove these doubters wrong."

As for Democrats, they organize their steering and policy efforts into one effort, the policy component of which is headed up by two lawmakers: Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) for policy and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) for steering.

---