US House Agrees to $1.1 Trillion Spending Plan

Unable to pass any of 12 regular appropriations bills for 2011, or a budget resolution for the first time since 1974, the U.S. House today enacted a $1.1 trillion "continuing resolution" (212-206) to keep the government afloat.

LV Congressman Charlie Dent voted No because, in his opinion, it continues the unsustainable spending policies of the current Congress for the entire 2011 Fiscal Year.

“Rather than displaying a renewed commitment to fiscal responsibility, Congress has prolonged excessive federal spending for an additional year,” Dent said after the vote. “At a time when our national debt continues to increase, it is critical that we work diligently to reduce government spending.”

“While I am disappointed Congress has waited until the 11th hour to fund the federal government, I am certainly not surprised,” Dent continued. “The passage of today’s continuing resolution was foreshadowed by Congress’s failure to enact nearly all individual appropriations bills and a comprehensive budget that established a blueprint for federal spending and revenues in the 2011 fiscal year.”

According to a projection from the Obama administration, the federal government currently borrows 40% of the money it spends.