Both Sides Decry House GOP Budget Plan

After days of open conflict with their own leaders, House GOP members Wednesday narrowly approved an election-year budget plan designed to highlight differences with the White House on taxes, health care, welfare and an array of domestic priorities.

But the latest saga over spending laid bare deep-seated differences among Republicans, as House members juggle political pragmatism and conservative principles in a year when they all face reelection. In an emotional debate that lasted late into the evening, the Republican plan survived on a vote of 216 to 211.

“This is our chance. This is our historic opportunity to give the future to our children,” said Rep. Susan Molinari (R-N.Y.) shortly before the climactic vote late Wednesday.

By contrast, some of her conservative colleagues were appalled at the prospect of endorsing a GOP plan that would allow the budget deficit to grow, albeit temporarily, before heading toward a surplus in 2002. At one point, 21 Republicans appeared to have rejected their leaders’ plan but ultimately 19 dissented. Four Democrats voted for it.

“Everyone has to vote with their heart and do what’s right for the country,” said Rep. Mark W. Neumann (R-Wis.) a freshman leader of the conservative group before the vote.

Senate passage is expected as early as today on the budget resolution, which provides Congress with guidelines for more detailed spending bills in coming weeks and does not go to the White House for President Clinton’s signature.

The six-year budget outline, which was negotiated previously by lawmakers from the House and Senate, had been expected to sail through the House earlier this week. But a handful of freshman conservatives and their supporters were chagrined to discover that the plan could lead to a bigger deficit next year--an about-face after four years of progress--and raised a chorus of objections.

The budget outline calls for $1.6 trillion in spending next year, would freeze much domestic spending and features a $122-billion tax cut over the next six years.

GOP leaders, who retain painful memories of the pummeling that their party took on budget issues late last year, described their proposed mix of tax cuts and spending limits as a practical course. Moreover, they warned their colleagues that slashing the deficit next year would require reduced defense spending or reduced tax relief.

“We have pushed this as far as we can push it, and it’s the best agreement we can hammer out,” said Budget Committee Chairman John R. Kasich (R-Ohio.).

Democrats reacted gleefully to the GOP problems.

“You have a plan that increases the deficit, isn’t going to work--but keeps picking away at the most vulnerable in our society,” said Rep. Martin Olav Sabo (D-Minn.).

Rep. Albert R. Wynn (D-Md.) called the GOP plan a “pie in the sky budget,” complaining that “the people who claim to want to reduce the deficit are presenting a budget that will increase the deficit.”