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House Democrats Accuse Republicans of Targeting Urban Areas with Program Cuts

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

House Democrats accused Republicans of implementing provisions that would disproportionately affect urban areas while coddling the defense industry and rural regions through the GOP spending and program-cutting packages. The Democrats claim that the Republicans' proposed cuts targeting 'urban sensitive' programs are indicative of a broader strategy to hurt the nation's urban areas. Rep. Tom Foglietta, D-Pa., stated that his office's analysis showed 78% of the GOP rescissions would affect urban areas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House Democrats criticized the Republicans for proposing program cuts that would disproportionately affect urban areas, including summer jobs programs, safe and drug-free schools, education, urban community service, and other federal aid programs.
  • Rep. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., stated that the cuts in federally funded programs for cities were not coincidental and that Republicans were targeting heavily Democratic areas.
  • The House is scheduled to consider two appropriations and rescissions bills, with the first earmarking specific funds for disaster relief throughout the United States, and the second receiving criticism from Democrats for gutting school nutrition programs and programs for veterans and the elderly.
  • $12 billion of the $17 billion in cuts target urban areas, which make up a 'very little' portion of the entire federal budget.
  • House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bob Livingston claimed the Republican cuts would help 'future generations of widows and orphans' to survive and would help achieve a balanced budget.
  • The Republicans had to make adjustments to their emergency bill to secure approval within their own party, including withdrawing an abortion-related amendment to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill.

Statistics:

  • $5.4 billion is earmarked for California, which has been affected by severe flooding, from the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill.
  • $17 billion is the total amount of cuts proposed by the Republicans, with $12 billion targeting urban areas.
  • 78% of the GOP rescissions affect 'urban sensitive' programs, according to Rep. Tom Foglietta's analysis.
  • 30% is the amount of spending cuts proposed by the Republicans for House committees in fiscal 1995.
  • 600 staffers would be trimmed from the House payroll with the proposed committee funding bill.

Sources:

  • IAN CHRISTOPHER McCALEB WASHINGTON, March 15
  • Rep. Tom Foglietta (D-Pa.)
  • Rep. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.)

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