The $39 billion in budget cuts finally being revealed
by Joe Sudbay (DC) on 4/12/2011 08:28:00 AM
On Friday, we saw triumphant speeches from President Obama, Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker Boehner about the deal they cut to prevent a government shutdown. They all touted the 39 billion spending cuts, particularly Obama boasted of " the largest annual spending cut in our history." What was actually cut in the budget was initially a big secret. But, four days later, we're getting a look. From The Hill:
Compared to 2010 levels, there are big cuts to cherished Democratic-backed programs. The Women, Infants and Children nutrition program is cut $504 million, foreign food assistance by $194 million and assistance to state and local law enforcement by $415 million.
The Environmental Protection Agency is cut by $1.6 billion, a 16 percent reduction; lawmakers from westerns states were able to include a rider allowing states to de-list wolves from the endangered species list.
The Homeland Security Department sees significant cuts as well: $226 million is cut from the southern border fence at the suggestion of the Obama administration, and the number of Transportation Security Administration workers is capped. FEMA first-responder grants are cut by $786 million.
Health funding also takes a serious hit. Community healthcare centers lose $600 million in funds while HIV and other disease prevention funds are cut by $1 billion. But Democrats noted that the health centers would not have to close altogether under a cut of this size.
Impressed so far? They just had to get the wolves.
We already knew DC got screwed on several key issues. In fact, our mayor, Vincent Gray, got arrested last night on Capitol Hill while protesting against the budget.
Tomorrow, Obama gives his big speech on further cutting the deficit, including how he'll deal with Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.