Rep. Platts Votes Against House Budget Resolution
On March 13, 2008, by a vote of 212-207, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget resolution (H. Con. Res. 312) that was criticized for raising taxes by $683 billion over five years. Congressman Platts voted against the measure.
Budget resolutions outline the general framework of the federal budget, establishing overall levels of planned spending and taxes. Under H. Con. Res. 312, total non-emergency discretionary spending would be allowed to rise by 8.8 percent in fiscal year 2008. In addition, the revenue estimates contained in H. Con. Res. 312 assume the expiration of all tax relief enacted by Congress in 2001 and 2003, which is scheduled to occur in 2010 and thereby result in the aforementioned tax increase of $683 billion. The 2001 and 2003 tax relief included alleviation of the “marriage penalty” and “death tax,” an increase in the child tax credit, and a reduction in income tax rates for every American that pays income taxes.
The Senate must still consider its own budget resolution. Subsequently, Congress must enact twelve individual appropriations bills funding the federal government.
Other Legislative Business
In addition to the budget resolution, the House considered a variety of other measures during the month of March. These measures included a bill which would require health insurers to provide full parity for mental health benefits (H.R. 1424) and a bill intended to strengthen the process for overseeing Congressional ethics (H. Res. 895). Congressman Platts voted in favor of both measures, which passed by margins of 268-148 and 229-182, respectively.
Repeated attempts were also made to bring up consideration of bipartisan Senate legislation (S. 2248) that would update the law regarding the electronic surveillance of terrorists located overseas. Congressman Platts supported these attempts to allow consideration of the bill. Unfortunately, up-or-down consideration of S. 2248 was blocked procedurally on each occasion. For more information regarding this issue, please see the March E-Newsletter (http://www.house.gov/platts/enews/2008-03.shtml).
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