Register for E-mail alerts. Comment on articles. Sign up today, it's easy.
Close

Boehner open to hearing all budget-cutting plans

House Speaker John A. Boehner repeatedly said Sunday that he welcomes all voices within the GOP-controlled House and that he will not stand in the way of the tea party caucus and others presenting plans to make deep cuts to the federal budget.

I’m going to allow the House to work its way,” Mr. Boehner, Ohio Republican, said several times on “Fox News Sunday.” “I’m the speaker of the House, the whole House.”

He said the tea party caucus and its promise to cut federal spending beyond the 2008 levels that House GOP leaders generally see as the goal is “absolutely not” a problem.

Mr. Boehner said the House Appropriations Committee is expected to announce specific cuts in the week of Feb. 14.

He expressed confidence that Democrats and Republicans in Congress will reach an agreement on raising the U.S. debt ceiling because the country’s defaulting on its debt would be a “financial disaster.”

House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, holds up the gavel during the first session of the 112th Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, holds up the gavel during the first session of the 112th Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

© Copyright 2011 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

About the Author
Joseph Weber

Joseph Weber

Joseph Weber is a congressional reporter, his first job upon coming to Washington in 1992. Mr. Weber joined The Washington Times in 2002 as a metro desk editor and ran the section for several years, working on such stories as the Virginia Tech massacre, the Supreme Court case on the District’s handgun law, the D.C. snipers and the 2008 ...

Comments

TalonsInTheirEyes says:

2 days, 19 hours ago

Mark as offensive

The Bush administration while rolling up massive deficits started two unfunded wars and gave a taxcut at the same time, do you think it was Bush's intention to run up the National Debt?
x
I do not think it was Bush's (main) intention to run up the debt by starting wars and lowering taxes. If that was the (main) intention, the easiest way would be to simply borrow money and burn it in with the fallen leaves on the lawn outside the White House.
x
While I think it was called for to check Saddam's weapons, the US should have withdrawn quickly when none where found. You can't whip sense into the Arab world. They are nuts. See what will happen when the US withdraws from Iraq/Afghanistan. New dictators will rush to the thrones like cockroaches for a bit of bread in the night, as soon as the humans leave.
x
Bush's tax cuts would have worked if government's doing had been cut back at the same time. Big government is always bad. Hopefully that lesson will never be forgotten.

factsmatter says:

2 days, 21 hours ago

Mark as offensive

TalonsInTheirEyes says: The US does NOT need to raise the debt ceiling. Bring home the troops from Iraq/Afghanistan. Lessen the military presence in the world. Eliminate government programs and public spending that is not necessary during these trying times of repaying the national debt. The government does not need to keep up a clean, tidy front, a costly front. You screwed up.
/////
The Bush administration while rolling up massive deficits started two unfunded wars and gave a taxcut at the same time, do you think it was Bush's intention to run up the National Debt?

TalonsInTheirEyes says:

3 days, 2 hours ago

Mark as offensive

The US does NOT need to raise the debt ceiling. Bring home the troops from Iraq/Afghanistan. Lessen the military presence in the world. Eliminate government programs and public spending that is not necessary during these trying times of repaying the national debt. The government does not need to keep up a clean, tidy front, a costly front. You screwed up. It is going to look ugly when public beautification ends. Plug the southern border and kick out the illegals, NOW. Stop being such a wuss, government. This BS about illegals being necessary is not true. They have a "I don't care" attitude and their work is sub quality. No wonder the value of American products are going down. We might as well stamp them with "Made in Mexico", that's the quality the illegals bring to the table. And they bring slum and crime. We don't need that. Adhere to the Constitution, you morons!!! End this anchor baby law right away. Kick families out. The babies with citizenship already may return at 18 when/if they can support themselves. But for now they are the headache of their parents, not the US. Toughen up the laws and enact them for those who hire illegals. Can you do ANYTHING right, Congress??!! And don't fall for Obamas "investments". Now is not the time. He is out in 2012 anyway. Do pay attention to what the Tea Part caucus tells you, Speaker of the House. I wish the GOP had half the common sense it has. I'm so frustrated with the incompetence in Washington D.C. right now. Incredible!!! It's like you are working for an anti-American foreign country, that's how screwed up you are.

View all comment(s) on this article.

Not Registered Yet?

Comment on articles. Receive e-mail newsletters and alerts. Sign up today.

Featured
  • Stones fly through the air as supporters of President Hosni Mubarak, foreground, fight with anti-Mubarak protesters, rear, standing on army tanks in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Feb.2, 2011. Several thousand supporters of Mr. Mubarak, including some riding horses and camels and wielding whips, clashed with anti-government protesters Wednesday as Egypt's upheaval took a dangerous new turn. (AP Photo/Ahmed Ali)

    Chaos in Cairo as Mubarak backers, opponents clash

    By Hadeel Al-Shalchi and Sarah El Deeb

    updated 3 hours, 12 minutes ago

    Thousands of supporters and opponents of President Hosni Mubarak battled in Cairo’s main square Wednesday, raining stones and bottles down on each other as gunshots rang in the air. In scenes of uncontrolled violence, government backers galloped in on horses and camels, only to be dragged to the ground by their rivals and beaten bloody. Published 8:38 a.m. February 2, 2011

  • Kwame R. Brown

    Ethics rules let D.C. Council members shield outside income

    By Jim McElhatton

    D.C. Council Chairman Kwame R. Brown last year reported earning $45,000 in outside income on top of his six-figure government salary for 2009, but who paid him and why is anybody’s guess. City ethics rules don’t require Mr. Brown to say. Published 9:46 p.m. February 1, 2011

  • Jimmy Carter

    Keeping Carter’s home neat costs U.S. a tidy sum

    By Stephen Dinan

    The tennis court at former President Jimmy Carter’s private home is swept twice a day, his pool is cleaned daily and his grass cut, his flower beds weeded and his windows washed on a regular basis — all at taxpayers’ expense. Published 8:18 p.m. February 1, 2011

Happening Now
Most Read

    Independent voices from the TWT Communities

    Haydon's Soccer Pitch

    Covering the world of soccer, including the World Cup, Major League Soccer, D.C. United and the English Premier League.

    Making Change

    People getting involved in helping others and making a difference.

    Omkara World

    Join the Evolution with Adam Omkara! Empowering, cutting-edge mind/body/spirit and health dialogue.

    Run, Karla, Run!

    Notes from a running nerd: musings and more on all things running.