SE Valley Times

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H. Con. Res. 14, which contains the U.S. Senate's instructions for budget reconciliation, with a narrow vote of 216-214. Following the passage, Congressman Biggs released a statement.

"Today, I voted to approve the budget instruction bill from the Senate," said Congressman Biggs. He noted that the Senate's instructions originally included spending reductions of $4 billion over a decade, contrasted with the House's proposal for $2 trillion. However, changes occurred in the last 36 hours.

Biggs highlighted several commitments: "The White House committed to spending reductions of $1.5 trillion, including the Inflation Reduction Act, fraud and waste in federal programs like Medicaid, illegal student loan forgiveness, and numerous other programs."

Senate Majority Leader Thune agreed to the House's budget framework. Biggs noted that Speaker Johnson reaffirmed his stance on not allowing any bill on the Floor that deviates from this framework. "This means any proposed budget must contain spending cuts of at least $1.5 trillion, must pay for new tax relief programs, and must not increase the deficit or our national debt."

Biggs mentioned that these commitments from legislative and executive leaders "will provide the chance for an historic reduction in federal spending and the size of the federal government."