Holmes blog

House Republicans deepen spending cuts

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republicans in the House of Representatives Thursday agreed to deepen proposed federal spending cuts, resolving a split within their party that threatened their ability to unite behind a top campaign promise.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers said in a statement he would cut nearly $58 billion from current spending levels, as Tea Party-aligned conservatives have sought, nearly double his original proposed cuts.

The deeper spending cut package is unlikely to become law, as President Barack Obama and Democrats who control the Senate are certain to oppose it.

Rogers' committee had nearly completed a less dramatic plan that would immediately impose spending cuts averaging 15 percent on a wide range of domestic programs, from scientific research to law enforcement.

But conservatives said it did not go far enough, imperiling its chance of winning passage in the House at a time when Republican leaders have failed to round up votes for other measures that had been expected to pass easily.

Congress must agree on a spending plan to avoid a government shutdown when current funding runs out on March 4.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan; editing by Vicki Allen)