'Socialist' struck from record in debate on Progressive Caucus budget

A House Republican agreed Friday to strike the word "socialist" from the record of the proceedings, a word he used to describe some unnamed members of the House for pursuing expanded government spending in the next decade.

During debate on a FY 2012 budget resolution from the Progressive Caucus, Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) warned that the United States is "at risk of insolvency and bankruptcy because the socialist members of this body choose to spend money that we do not have." Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) immediately objected to the use of the word "socialist" and asked for that word to be struck from the record.

Brooks offered to strike the word, but he noted he did not refer to any specific member of the House as a socialist.

The Progressive Caucus budget is not expected to succeed in the House, which is expected to support a resolution from House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

The Progressive budget calls for more federal spending than any of the four alternatives under consideration Friday. It foresees $44.6 trillion in outlays over the next decade, about 40 percent more than the budget from Ryan. It also foresees the most revenue, which largely comes from higher taxes.

Speaking on behalf of the proposal, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) acknowledged it would raise taxes on corporations and the wealthiest 2 percent "so they pay their just sacrifice."

Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) said the Progressive budget would call for the largest tax increase the United States has ever seen.

"This budget, if enacted, would end this country as we know it," he said.

Other Republicans noted it would also raise the gasoline tax, which they said would hurt lower-income Americans.