WASHINGTON — In the very early hours of the morning Friday the Senate passed an amended version of the budget resolution passed earlier this week by the House that sets Congress’s intention to bring federal spending from deficit to surplus over the next decade.
Alabama Senator Richard Shelby (R) said the budget is not perfect, but overall he supported it because he believes it balances the budget and promotes economic growth.
“At a time when runaway spending in Washington has led our debt to skyrocket above $18 trillion, it is necessary to make tough choices that promote economic growth,” Sen. Shelby said in a release Friday morning. “The Senate’s budget plan balances in 10 years with no tax increases while also responsibly funding our priorities. By contrast, President Obama’s budget proposes $1.8 trillion in tax hikes on the American people and doesn’t balance – ever.”
The budget resolution is non-binding, meaning it doesn’t carry the weight of law, but instead sets the goals for spending bills that will be proposed by Appropriations Committees in the House and Senate to fund government agencies over the next fiscal year. Shelby is the second-ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee.
“While this budget plan is not perfect,” said Sen. Shelby, “it strengthens our national defense as we face many serious foreign policy challenges. It also provides the Senate with an opportunity to repeal and replace ObamaCare and enhance our nation’s energy security. The American people deserve for their hard-earned tax dollars to be spent wisely, and this budget proposal calls for a more effective and accountable government. It is critical that we make responsible decisions today to ensure a strong future for generations to come.”
The budget resolution proposes $612 billion for defense spending, the same number proposed by President Obama and a 4.5 percent increase from the previous year. Much of the rest of the resolution, however, differs greatly from what the President proposed.
In his Birmingham speech yesterday, President Obama decried the GOP’s budget resolution, saying any appropriations bill in line with the Republican agenda would be vetoed.
Only two Republicans voted against final passage of the budget resolution: Rand Paul and Ted Cruz—both presidential hopefuls.
In addition to the budget, the Senate also passed a non-binding amendment with a full repeal of the so-called “death tax” last night, which required estates worth over $5.34 million to forfeit up to 40% to the federal government. The tax has been called a detriment to family farms, in particular.
“I have always supported a full repeal of the death tax,” Shelby told Yellowhammer. “Taxpayers should not be subject to an exorbitant tax when they seek to pass their earnings onto their family and loved ones. This is simply unfair.”
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
