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President Bush’s budget proposal has never been popular on Capitol Hill, but this year’s request comes with an added layer of insult: a price tag of $200.
In the past, the administration gave away about 3,000 free copies of its budget proposal to lawmakers, federal agencies and members of the media. But next week, when Bush submits the last of his eight budget requests to Congress, the White House only plans to post it on the Internet.
Lawmakers may read the budget online without cost. But those accustomed to holding a copy in their hands — or distributing multiple copies to their staffs to pore over the details — are going to have to dig into their own pockets and hand over some cash.
At 2,142 pages, last year’s budget would amount to nearly 10 cents a page.
“It’s pennywise and pound-foolish,” said Rep. Bob Etheridge (N.C.), a Democratic member of the House Budget Committee. “I don’t think as a member of Congress that I should have to take money out of my account [for the president’s budget request].”
Sean Kevelighan, spokesman for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), touted the administration’s efforts to save money and do its part to save the environment.
“The e-budget is an effort to save taxpayer dollars and reduce unnecessary paper copies,” he said. “Our decision to embrace an e-budget and forgo paper copies will encourage others to make the same choice.”
Members of Congress may pay from their office accounts instead of their own pockets, but that’s a small consolation. Lawmakers say their office funds are already stretched thin and their staffs are underpaid. Now they may find themselves facing a difficult choice: Should they shell out hundreds of dollars for a document that leaves most readers yawning? Or should they save the money to buy an extra plane trip back to their home district or pizza for staffers working late at night?
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