May 19, 2004—Today the House passed the Conference Report on S.Con.Res. 95, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY05, with a vote of 216 to 213.  U.S. Representative Trent Franks did not support this legislation.

“I truly commend my colleague, Chairman Jim Nussle, for his work on this resolution, however, I cannot deliberately vote for a budget that does not sufficiently offset bloated government spending.  Over $22 billion for more than 10,000 pork-barrel projects is not a responsible use of anyone’s tax dollars, especially when we continue to be faced with serious long-term fiscal challenges.”

The Conference Report on the Budget Resolution provides $2.4 trillion in total spending for FY05.  Total mandatory spending for fiscal year 2005 is $1.5 trillion and total discretionary spending is $818.9 billion. Overall non-defense, non-homeland security discretionary spending is level-funded.

The Conference Report sets out a one-year budget, including a “paygo” requirement applicable only in the Senate for any legislation that increases the deficit.  The budget ensures that there are not any tax increases in 2005.

“This report adheres to many of the goals that were in the House budget, but I am disappointed that the budget enforcement principles were not included for both the House and the Senate.  A one-year budget constraint won’t solve the long-term fiscal crisis we are beginning to see loom on the horizon.  With the increased costs of homeland security and the war on terrorism, we have to be more prudent with our precious financial resources.”