The House Democrats’ top budget man was still making his way through the GOP’s budget when he faced reporters Tuesday, but it’s safe to say he’s not impressed.
“It’s just a huge disinvestment in the future of the country,” Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said of the GOP blueprint that balances in 10 years by cutting $5.5 trillion in spending without raising taxes.
He said House Speaker John A. Boehner and Senate Majority Mitch McConnell must have “just kidding” when, armed with twin majorities in Congress, they penned an op-ed that said they’re ready to work for the middle class.
Like other Democrats, Mr. Van Hollen said the GOP isn’t doing enough to support transportation and is balancing their budget on the backs of less fortunate Americans.
House Republicans said they’re taking the responsible path by reining in Washington and making sure America’s safety net is solvent for future generations by offering cuts and changes to Medicare and other programs.
But Mr. Van Hollen wasn’t impressed, saying the plan uses a defense contingency account as a “slush fund” to get around sequester caps and repeals Obamacare while keeping its revenue.
To help achieve balance, the GOP also assumes Congress will let certain tax breaks, known as “extenders,” expire.
“Not under Enron accounting rules, would their budget balance,” Mr. Van Hollen said.
Senate Republicans will present their own plan Wednesday, which also balances within 10 years. That balance could offer a boost to Republicans, politically, although Democrats said any triumph will be short-lived.
“I think budget fakery is hard to sell,” Mr. Van Hollen said.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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