Late Thursday the House passed President Trump’s proposal to rescind $15 billion in previously appropriated funding by the government that was never spent.
According to Hannity.com, legislators enacted the law by a slim vote of 210-206, with over a dozen Republican lawmakers voting against the resolution.
“The vote is meant to put conservatives at ease about the huge two-year spending deal lawmakers reached this year, which will increase spending by about $300 billion over that period of time,” writes the Washington Examiner.
The White House worked closely with GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy to craft the legislation, titled “Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act.”
“As members, we are charged with being good stewards of taxpayer money. That is a responsibility we all have. It shouldn’t be a partisan exercise. And historically, it hasn’t been,” said the Congressman. “President Trump’s spending cut request is a straightforward and smart way to trim a bloated federal budget.”
Although some Democrats lambasted the cut for defunding the CHIP program funding children’s health insurance, Republicans allayed their concerns saying:
“Republicans have made sure CHIP isn’t going anywhere. We have removed any uncertainty about the stability of funding for that program,” McCarthy said. “The funds we are rescinding tonight were appropriated long ago and will not be used for their intended purpose now.”
Read the full report at the Washington Examiner.