State’s representatives split on spending cuts

Benjamin Grove

Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005 | 8:43 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Nevada's two House Republicans are mum on the controversial spending cuts bill likely to surface again next week.

But the states lone Democrat in the House has plenty to say about it.

Republican leaders say the budget reconciliation package which would trim roughly $50 billion in federal spending takes a responsible step toward offsetting the fast-growing defecit amid the spiraling cost of hurricane responses and the war in Iraq.

Democrats, though, describe the measure as "immoral" because it would slow growth in spending on social welfare pro-grams that include Medicaid, food stamps and student loans at a time when children and the poor need them most. They also accuse Republicans of trying to cut $50 billion in order to offset a pending $70 billion tax cut that would benefit the wealthy.

The budget bill potentially could affect 200,000 people who rely on Medicaid in Nevada, said Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev. She said 18,250 Nevada college students could be affected by loan reductions and $2.4 million could be slashed from Nevadas Head Start programs that benefit pre-kindergarten children.

"This is a slap in the face to all Americans," Berkley said. "And I know from my own constituents, it is going to have devastat-ing consequences."

The House was set to vote on the budget bill Thursday. But GOP leaders delayed the action when it became clear they did not have the 218 votes needed after moderate Republicans staged a revolt, saying they could not support the spending cuts.

Since then, the leaders have been lobbying and arm-twisting the moderates. They also removed a controversial provision that would open Alaskas Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.Rep.

Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., who is running for governor, was traveling in Nevada for the Veterans Day weekend. Last week he was undecided on the measure, said Gibbons spokeswoman Amy Maier.

"We obviously want to find savings in the federal government, but not on the backs of Nevadans," she added.

Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., has hardly embraced the GOP bill. But a spokesman declined to say whether he was prepared to vote against the version tabled Thursday.

Porter "continues to have serious concerns with aspects of the bill, and his support is dependent upon its finnal form," Porter spokesman T.J. Crawford said.

The Senate approved its own budget reconciliation bill, which would save $35 billion over five years. It included a provision for opening the Alaska refuge for drilling. In a 52-47 vote, five Republicans opposed the bill and two Democrats supported it, with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., voting against and Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., in support.

Differences in the House and Senate versions would be reconciled by a panel of House-Senate negotiators.

Benjamin Grove can be reached at (202) 662-7436 or at grove@lasvegassun.com.