Republican criticizes addition of Pell grant provisions to short-term budget bill

Nearly $6 billion in spending for Pell grants in a proposed bill to keep the government running has raised the ire of some Republicans as Congress tries to wrap up its work. 

House Appropriations Committee ranking member Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) decried the inclusion of $5.7 billion for the Pell Grant program, which will incur a shortage without additional funding, calling it "a perennial priority of the House Democrat leadership and Appropriations Committee Chairman [David] Obey [D-Wis.]."

The program, which faces an $8 billion gap in 2012, is scheduled to receive an extra $36 billion over 10 years. Maximum grants were increased to $5,550, up from $4,050 five years ago. 

That designated spending is in jeopardy as Republicans look to cut programs back to fiscal 2008 levels and slash $100 billion from the federal budget. 

The "Democrat majority will cap off the year with yet another massive spending bill that will force our nation into further deficits and debt," Lewis said in a statement. 

Incoming House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) said he intends to cut spending back to those levels, which is likely to set up a showdown with the Senate and put pressure on Republicans to identify potential cuts. 

Lewis also criticized House and Senate Democrats for not including a provision that would prevent the release of Guantánamo Bay detainees into the United States.

A proposed continuing resolution, which holds funding at fiscal 2010 levels, needs to be completed before Wednesday to avoid a government shutdown. That resolution would run through March 4 if lawmakers can clear the bill for President Obama. 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has scheduled a Tuesday morning procedural vote on the bill. 

Under the bill, federal workers would face a two-year pay freeze, and the legislation would extend a small-business loan program and provide funding for current surface transportation programs.