The Maine Wire
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Maine Wire TV
  • Podcasts
  • About
  • Contact
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending News
  • Democrat-Led Judiciary Committee Blocked Subpoena Request for Jeffrey Epstein Flight Logs: Sen Marsha Blackburn
  • Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom Face Off in First Ever Red vs Blue State Debate
  • Barstool’s Dave Portnoy Pushes Back on Youtube Censorship
  • 22-year-old Benton Man Charged with Murder of 62-Year-Old in Fairfield After Trying to Self-Immolate in Car
  • Maine Rep. Wants to Make Property Owners Liable for Violence Occurring in “Gun Free Zones”
  • South Portland Teen Accused of Murder Plot Detained After Violating Conditions of Release
  • Maine Racial Equity Commission Appoints Bowdoin College Professor Theo Greene to “LGBTQIA+ Seat”
  • Republican Senators Urge Biden to Restrict Travel from China to Prevent Spread of New ‘Mystery Illness’
Facebook Twitter Instagram
The Maine Wire
Login
Saturday, December 2
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Maine Wire TV
  • Podcasts
  • About
  • Contact
The Maine Wire
Home » News » House Republicans Release Budget Proposal
National

House Republicans Release Budget Proposal

Patrick MarvinBy Patrick MarvinMarch 18, 2015Updated:March 18, 20151 Comment3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

On Tuesday, U.S. House Republican leadership unveiled their conservative budget proposal that seeks to eliminate the federal deficit over the next ten years.

The budget bill, constructed by Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), reduces federal spending by $5.5 trillion over the next decade, and promises a surplus of funds by the year 2026.

Republicans assert that this budget would not raise taxes on any Americans, but would balance the federal budget by trimming wasteful spending and reforming entitlement programs including Medicare and Medicaid.

A program that has consistently required infusions of federal funds, Medicare would be transformed into a premium system that provides vouchers for retirees to purchase their own private insurance. Medicaid would also be converted to a block grant program, in order to give states increased flexibility and freedom.

The budget also prioritizes defense and national security spending by adding close to $40 billion in “emergency” war funding to next year’s defense budget. This would represent a significant raise to military spending without technically breaking the stringent limits enacted by the 2011 Budget Control Act.

Popular federal higher education grants known as “Pell Grants” would be preserved and made “permanently sustainable” by the bill. However, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as food stamps, would be streamlined and transformed into a State Flexibility Fund.

Repeals of two of President Obama’s signature legislative achievements, Obamacare and a 2010 law that imposes several financial regulations known as the Dodd-Frank Act, are also promised in the budget proposal.

Democrats immediately criticized the proposal, claiming that fails to provide adequate funding and does not offer solutions to many of the important issues facing America today.

“It’s not a budget that reflects growth,” said President Obama on Tuesday. “We’re going to have a robust debate.”

Obama’s own budget proposal, which he released last month, would increase federal spending by nearly $74 billion, undo the spending cuts caused by sequestration, and increase taxes on the wealthy in order to fund the spending increases.

In another move on Tuesday to encourage limited spending and financial responsibility, Maine’s first-term Representative Bruce Poliquin spoke Tuesday at a Republican press conference to urge the passage of a balanced budget constitutional amendment.

“As Maine State Treasurer, I worked with all parties, to make sure we balanced our books and started paying down our debt, and we did it without raising taxes. Now it’s time Washington does the same,” said Poliquin.

 

 

*Editors Note: This story previously reported that Rep. Bruce Poliquin had endorsed the budget, however Rep. Boliquin is reportedly still evaluating the full impact of the proposal.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
budget Featured House proposal republican
Previous ArticleFighting to Defend the Second Amendment
Next Article Why Maine Cannot Afford a Minimum Wage Increase
Patrick Marvin

Patrick Marvin is a former Policy Analyst for The Maine Heritage Policy Center. He holds a Masters Degree from the University of New Hampshire, and has an extensive background in analysis and research.

Related Posts

Democrat-Led Judiciary Committee Blocked Subpoena Request for Jeffrey Epstein Flight Logs: Sen Marsha Blackburn

December 1, 2023

Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom Face Off in First Ever Red vs Blue State Debate

December 1, 2023

Barstool’s Dave Portnoy Pushes Back on Youtube Censorship

December 1, 2023

1 Comment

  1. Nate Marvin on March 18, 2015 4:52 PM

    Unimpressive. More garbage from the TP and Maine Heritage. Well, that is, apaarently everything but the sales tax. Guess you Heritage people don’t like that one. What? Did your boy in the Blaine House deviate somewhat from his marching orders this time? Lol!

Leave A Reply

Recent News

Democrat-Led Judiciary Committee Blocked Subpoena Request for Jeffrey Epstein Flight Logs: Sen Marsha Blackburn

December 1, 2023

Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom Face Off in First Ever Red vs Blue State Debate

December 1, 2023

Barstool’s Dave Portnoy Pushes Back on Youtube Censorship

December 1, 2023

22-year-old Benton Man Charged with Murder of 62-Year-Old in Fairfield After Trying to Self-Immolate in Car

December 1, 2023

Maine Rep. Wants to Make Property Owners Liable for Violence Occurring in “Gun Free Zones”

December 1, 2023
Newsletter

News

  • News
  • Campaigns & Elections
  • Opinion & Commentary
  • Media Watch
  • Education
  • Media

Maine Wire

  • About the Maine Wire
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Commentary
  • Complaints
  • Maine Policy Institute

Resources

  • Maine Legislature
  • Legislation Finder
  • Get the Newsletter
  • Maine Wire TV

Facebook Twitter Instagram Steam RSS
  • Post Office Box 7829, Portland, Maine 04112

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login below or Register Now.

Lost password?

Register Now!

Already registered? Login.

A password will be e-mailed to you.