Republican Study Committee will press for more cuts in FY 2012 budget vote

Members of the House Republican Study Committee (RSC) this week will press for steeper cuts than those found in House Budget Committee Paul Ryan's FY 2012 budget resolution, and have put forward one of several substitute amendments that will be considered Thursday or Friday. The RSC substitute amendment may once again test the ability of Republican leaders to maintain support for Ryan's proposal, and fend off a more conservative option.

A substitute amendment from RSC member Scott Garrett (R-NJ) was made in order by the House Rules Committee on Wednesday night, and thus will be allowed to compete with Ryan's proposal and four others.

The Garrett substitute recommends outlays of $28.8 trillion between FY 2012 and FY 2021, about $3 trillion less than Ryan's proposed $32 trillion. Garrett's bill also anticipates revenues of $26.1 trillion in revenues over the next decade, while Ryan anticipates $28.6 trillion.

Both options anticipate a budget deficit over the decade, but Ryan's is larger, at $3.6 trillion. Garrett's budget resolution sees a deficit of about $2.7 trillion.

While Republicans may split on these two proposals, Democrats have four of their own substitute amendments that have also been made in order. Budget Committee Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Jim Cooper (Tenn.), Emanuel Cleaver (Mo.), and Raul Grijalva (Ariz.) will each get a chance to seek support for their resolutions.

All of the Democratic resolutions envision more budget outlays over the decade, with Grijalva's expecting $44.6 trillion in outlays, 40 percent more than Ryan's proposal. Grijalva's also anticipates the most revenue, at $42.1 trillion, far more than the other proposals.

Ryan's amendment is expected to be approved as a substitute to H.Con.Res. 34, after which it will take up the five other substitute amendments. Work on the FY 2012 budget resolution is expected to begin Thursday and conclude on Friday.

Consideration of the FY 2012 budget resolution is expected to start after the House approves the bill to fund the remainder of FY 2011, H.R. 1473. As part of that process, the House is also expected to consider two resolutions, one to defund last year's healthcare law, and one to block federal funding of Planned Parenthood.