Huizenga Votes to Cut 6.4 Percent More from House Budget, Saving Taxpayers An Additional $227 Million

Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, MI-02, and the House voted to cut another 6.4 percent from Congressional budgets, bringing the total cuts to the House operating budget to 11.4 percent over last year. As one of the first votes of the 112th Congress, the House voted in H.R. 22 to cut its operating budget by 5 percent from 2010 levels, which is expected to save taxpayers an estimated $35 million.

"This Congress was sent to Washington with one message: Cut spending. As we look for every possible way to save taxpayers money, we can no longer afford sacred cows. That's why I voted to support the cuts to my own office's budget. Congress must lead by example," Huizenga said.

The Legislative Branch Appropriations fund the offices of Members of the House of Representatives, the support agencies of Congress, services for visitors, and Capitol operations and maintenance. The new FY2012 spending levels will save taxpayers an additional $227 million -- or 6.4 percent over FY2011, pushing spending down to just between the 2008 and 2009 levels. Capitol Hill Police were the only section that saw no cuts this year.

Source