Bill aims to force cuts on Obama

The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives passed sweeping legislation yesterday to cut $61 billion from hundreds of federal programmes and shelter coal companies, oil refiners and farmers from new government regulations.

The 235 to 189 vote to send the bill to the Senate was largely along party lines and defied a veto threat from President Barack Obama. It marked the most striking victory to date for the new Republicans, elected last year on a promise to attack the deficit and reduce the reach of government. Three Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the measure.

“The American people have spoken. They demand that Washington stop its out-of-control spending now, not some time in the future,” said new Republican congressman Tim Huelskamp.

The $1.2 trillion bill covers every Cabinet agency until the September 30 end of the budget year, imposing severe spending cuts aimed at domestic programmes and foreign aid, including aid for schools, nutrition programmes, environmental protection, and heating and housing subsidies for the poor.

But the measure faces a rough ride in the Democratic-controlled Senate, even before the Republican amendments adopted last Thursday, Friday and early yesterday morning pushed the bill further and further to the right on health care and environmental policy.