Appropriations

House Republicans have no plans to move forward this week with a continuing resolution to keep the government funded. 

Propose GOP cuts to the Social Security Administration's operating budget would actually increase wasteful spending over time, the SSA actuary said in a letter Thursday.

The cuts were included in a 2013 Labor, Health Appropriations bill crafted by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) and passed out of subcommittee this month. The budget for conducting disability reviews would be cut to $272 million under the bill from $757 million. That compares to $1.024 billion under last August's debt ceiling deal.

The nearly $800-million cut would actually increase wasteful spending by as much as $6 billion over time, Social Security Chief Actuary Stephen Goss said.

Sen. Rob Portman has introduced legislation aimed at ending the threat of a government shutdown once and for all.

Sen. Tom Harkin is trying to focus attention on the cuts that are coming for education and HIV testing.

Democrats on Monday accused House Republicans of trying to prevent the public from learning more about spending cuts in a controversial labor, health bill by refusing to bring it to a full committee markup.

The House Appropriations Committee last week unveiled a 2013 spending bill with $6.8 billion in cuts to labor, health and education.  It narrowly cleared the subcommittee after conservative Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) was allowed to offer a failed amendment would have more than doubled the cuts.

As it stands popular programs are, including funding for NPR and PBS and for Social Security distribution, are slashed in the bill.

The bill’s author, Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) is in a tight race for Democrat Sen. Jon Tester’s seat. Tester plans to use the bill in campaign spots.

The 2013 Labor, Health and Human Services spending bill passed out of subcommittee after a vitriolic debate.

The House approved the bill in a 414-2 vote, with two Democrats voting against the legislation. 

The GOP spending bill has deep cuts to programs like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Planned Parenthood

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid vowed to change the filibuster rules next year if Democrats retain control of the chamber.

The bill from Rep. Denny Rehberg defunds implementation of Obama’s healthcare law and targets federal funding of Planned Parenthood.