WASHINGTON — House Republicans called for cuts in hundreds of programs across the face of government last night in a $61 billion savings package toughened at the last minute at the demand of Tea Party-backed conservatives.
From education to job training, the environment and nutrition, few domestic programs were left untouched — and some were eliminated — in the measure, which is expected to reach the floor for a vote next week.
Among the programs targeted for elimination are Americorps and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In contrast, spending on defense and veterans programs were protected.
The measure marks an initial down payment by newly empowered Republicans on their promise to rein in federal deficits and reduce the size of government.
First-term Republican conservatives claimed victory after forcing their own leadership to expand the measure after rejecting an earlier draft as too timid.
“$100 billion is $100 billion is $100 billion,” said Rep. Tim Scott (R-SC), referring to the amount the revised package would cut from President Obama’s budget request of a year ago.
That was the amount contained in the Republican “Pledge to America” in last fall’s campaign, and when party leaders initially suggested a smaller package of cuts this week, many of the 87-member freshman class who have links to the Tea Party rebelled.
In fact, even some Republicans acknowledged privately that the legislation will cut about $61 billion from current spending on domestic spending.