GOP presses on with CR budget cuts; Some health programs at risk

House Republican lawmakers are continuing work on ratcheting down spending in the current year continuing resolution to fund the federal government. Some discretionary health programs are feeling the heat.

The Washington Post: Republicans Blast Obama Budget But Signal Willingness To Work With Democrats
Some Republicans, particularly those in the House, want to force an immediate showdown with Democrats: GOP leaders have included sharp cuts to federal agencies in a must-pass spending measure that would keep the government open through September. Other Republicans, including many longtime senators, want to seize the moment to join Democrats in overhauling politically sensitive programs such as Social Security and Medicare, the biggest drivers of future spending (Montgomery and Murray, 2/16).

Los Angeles Times: Criticism Mounts As GOP Presses Ahead With Budget Cuts
Republicans compiled a thick set of proposed cuts last week, but it was rejected by the most conservative House members. Leaders amassed a new set of cuts that would reduce 2011 spending by about $61 billion. The cuts are concentrated in less than 15 percent of the federal budget, the portion that funds so-called nondefense, discretionary spending including education, health, environmental protection and child services (Mascaro, 2/16).

Roll Call: King Uses Vote On Spending Bill To Make Point On Health Care
Rep. Steve King said he's putting GOP leaders on notice that he wants to be taken seriously in his efforts to defund the health care overhaul law. The Iowa Republican voted "present" Tuesday on a rule to proceed to a continuing resolution to keep the government funded for the remainder of fiscal 2011 because it did not include his amendment to halt funding for the health care law. The House voted 242-174 in favor of the rule on the spending bill, and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) joined King in voting "present" (Brady, 2/15).