Washington, D.C. - While tiny in relation to the historic spending spree launched by President Obama and Congressional Democrats, the Sunset Caucus, recently created by House conservatives, scored its first victory in their battle against wasteful Washington spending.

Under pressure from the Republican Study Committee, Democrats are eliminating $8.7 million for a cultural exchange program that connect whalers in Massachusetts with their whaling ancestors in Alaska and Hawaii. The cut is included in the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill the U.S. House of Representatives took up on Friday, July 24, 2009.

“It’s one small step for taxpayers, one giant step for common sense,” said Brady, who co-chairs the Sunset Caucus with Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz.

“We are going to keep the pressure on Congress to eliminate these ridiculous programs and cut wasteful spending. I hope this is one of many victories to come from the Sunset Caucus.”