SAVANNAH, Ga. – Subtropical storm Beryl crept Sunday toward the Southeast U.S.If the U.S. House defeats legislation to fund the government for the next three weeks, Rep. Mike Pence might get a good share of the credit or blame.
Sentiment is growing among conservative Republicans to vote today against a temporary appropriations extension, and the mood can be traced in part to Pence, R-6th.
The Associated Press reported Monday that Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who chairs the Republican Study Committee, wants the continuing resolution to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood.
Pence has sponsored legislation to deny federal funds for any organization that provides abortions. The GOP-controlled House twice this winter has approved an appropriations bill containing the provision, now widely known as “the Pence Amendment.” The Democratic-controlled Senate last week rejected the bill, which would have cut $61 billion from the federal budget deficit through September.
Pence said last week on Fox News that “if conservatives want to win in this battle, we need to pick a fight.” Later, on the House floor, Pence said, “I think we have to pick a fight” with Senate Democrats over spending reductions.
In both instances, Pence called for an end to funding for Planned Parenthood and the health care law.
Pence’s office said Monday it had no comment on how Pence will vote on the appropriations measure or on his role in the debate.
Current legislation, approved by Congress the first week of March, funds the federal government through Friday. The latest temporary extension from Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Ky., would trim $6 billion from spending levels through April 8 while negotiators work on a longer-term appropriations bill.
Many of the spending cuts in Rogers’ proposal come from earmarks, projects that lawmakers have received for their home districts or states.
Unless the House and the Senate approve an extension, non-essential government services will shut down.
The AP reported Monday that Jordan and other Republicans are frustrated by the series of stopgap spending measures.
“We must do more than cut spending in bite-sized pieces,” Jordan said in a statement.
The temporary funding measures have been necessary because Congress failed last year to approve a budget for fiscal 2011.
