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| Rep. Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook, is a member of the House Republican Study Committee that proposed, among a broad range of cuts, to eliminate an energy program that helps protect low-income homes against harsh winter weather. |
By Marc Heller
Johnson News Service
WASHINGTON - Temperatures could be below zero throughout Rep. Chris Gibson's congressional district Sunday night. But to help the poorest residents protect their homes from such cold, he'll have to buck a committee he just joined in Congress.
The House Republican Study Committee Thursday proposed to eliminate a U.S. Department of Energy program that helps protect low income residents' homes against harsh weather.
Gibson, R-Kinderhook, did not return a call Thursday seeking comment on the proposal, part of a broad range of cuts that would also end all federal support for rail service in the Hudson Valley, cut off funding for high-speed rail between New York City and Albany and likely end commercial passenger flights near the northern reaches of his district, in the Adirondacks.
The Republican Study Committee represents the conservative wing in Congress. Gibson is a member, as are four other New York Republicans, including three newly arrived in Congress.
The proposal represents one far end of the spending debate on Capitol Hill but could help shape the deliberations, especially in the GOP-led House. Even the Senate, where Democrats lead, may be forced to accept reductions in programs that Democrats boosted in recent years.
The weatherization program, for instance, was increased dramatically through the economic stimulus. New York received $394 million, more than any other state. It has received wide support from New York lawmakers over the years, particularly from those representing upstate New York.
But the stimulus funding has been caught up in controversy because of the department's difficulties handling the expansion. Less than half of the money for the program has been expended, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reported recently.
Eliminating the Energy Department grants would save $530 million annually, the RSC said.
The spending reduction bill's sponsors estimated it will save $2.5 trillion over a decade and help restore the federal government's financial balance.
Among larger programs targeted, the legislation would save $16 billion by repealing an increase in Medicaid reimbursement funding that the Democratic-led Congress passed as part of a state aid package.
In addition, the lawmakers proposed to freeze spending for the rest of this fiscal year at levels set in 2008 and to block all funding for the health care reform law, saving $80 billion; set spending levels for the next decade at levels set in 2006, with the exception of programs targeted for elimination.
While all of the programs have constituencies that will be offended at losing programs, lawmakers said, the bill represents a more important, broad goal of addressing the climbing federal debt and reining in spending.
“Everything on this pales in comparison to saving the country,” said Rep. John Campbell, R-Calif.
Sponsors said they had not discussed with the House GOP leadership whether the bill will reach the floor for a vote but the chairman of the RSC, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said he is optimistic that many provisions will find a way there.
The House Republican Study Committee Thursday proposed to eliminate a U.S. Department of Energy program that helps protect low income residents' homes against harsh weather.
Gibson, R-Kinderhook, did not return a call Thursday seeking comment on the proposal, part of a broad range of cuts that would also end all federal support for rail service in the Hudson Valley, cut off funding for high-speed rail between New York City and Albany and likely end commercial passenger flights near the northern reaches of his district, in the Adirondacks.
The Republican Study Committee represents the conservative wing in Congress. Gibson is a member, as are four other New York Republicans, including three newly arrived in Congress.
The proposal represents one far end of the spending debate on Capitol Hill but could help shape the deliberations, especially in the GOP-led House. Even the Senate, where Democrats lead, may be forced to accept reductions in programs that Democrats boosted in recent years.
The weatherization program, for instance, was increased dramatically through the economic stimulus. New York received $394 million, more than any other state. It has received wide support from New York lawmakers over the years, particularly from those representing upstate New York.
But the stimulus funding has been caught up in controversy because of the department's difficulties handling the expansion. Less than half of the money for the program has been expended, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reported recently.
Eliminating the Energy Department grants would save $530 million annually, the RSC said.
The spending reduction bill's sponsors estimated it will save $2.5 trillion over a decade and help restore the federal government's financial balance.
Among larger programs targeted, the legislation would save $16 billion by repealing an increase in Medicaid reimbursement funding that the Democratic-led Congress passed as part of a state aid package.
In addition, the lawmakers proposed to freeze spending for the rest of this fiscal year at levels set in 2008 and to block all funding for the health care reform law, saving $80 billion; set spending levels for the next decade at levels set in 2006, with the exception of programs targeted for elimination.
While all of the programs have constituencies that will be offended at losing programs, lawmakers said, the bill represents a more important, broad goal of addressing the climbing federal debt and reining in spending.
“Everything on this pales in comparison to saving the country,” said Rep. John Campbell, R-Calif.
Sponsors said they had not discussed with the House GOP leadership whether the bill will reach the floor for a vote but the chairman of the RSC, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said he is optimistic that many provisions will find a way there.
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