Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Federal Funding

GOP Targets Transportation, Housing For the Deepest Cuts

The House Appropriations Committee yesterday gave a glimpse into their plans to cut spending as promised. Chair Hal Rogers (R-KY) set spending ceilings each of the 12 Appropriations subcommittees, cutting the budget for the Transportation and HUD Subcommittee by 17 percent, or $11.6 billion.

Appropriations Committee Chair Hal Rogers makes painful cuts to transpo spending for the rest of FY2011. Photo: ##http://online.wsj.com/media/HalRogers_Chairmanship_CV_20101109140702.jpg##WSJ##

It is, by far, the most dramatic of all the cuts. The cuts to Agriculture and Financial Services Committees come in second and third at 14 and 13 percent, respectively.

The cuts come in tandem with House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) announcement that overall spending will have to drop to $1.055 trillion for the rest of 2011.

Still, Republicans are having a harder time than they expected cutting $100 billion from the budget, in accordance with their Pledge to America. In the end, they've cut just $32 billion from 2010 levels and have a way to go before hitting their mark of returning to 2008 levels. Meanwhile, they’ve added $9.5 billion for defense and homeland security spending.

All over Washington, people are obsessing over deficit reduction. White House Budget Director Jacob Lew met with Senate Democrats to preview the president's budget proposal and get their suggestions for deficit reduction. Meanwhile, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) is hosting a series of closed-door party meetings on the issue. President Obama has held firm to his promise to hold most domestic spending at 2010 levels, including a wage freeze for federal workers.

New House rules give Rep. Ryan unprecedented powers to set spending ceilings, and his announcement triggered the deep cuts at the Appropriations level. The only subcommittee facing cuts all the way to 2008 levels is Energy and Water Development, according to Politico.

It’ll all come together next week when the full Appropriations Committee releases its own version of a FY2011 budget to finish out the year. Until now, they’ve been coasting along on an extension of last year’s budget, with the same number frozen in place. That extension is due to expire March 4, but Senate leaders are already saying that deadline is impossible and will require stopgap extensions before they can pass a budget.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

What Are University Transportation Centers — And Why Did Secretary Duffy Decimate Their Budgets?

University Transportation Centers are "where innovation happens." Earlier this month, though, the Trump administration took a sledgehammer to their budgets.

May 19, 2025

Monday’s Big, Beautiful Headlines

Ride-hailing and delivery apps are backing the Republican reconciliation bill because it includes a tax exemption for drivers' tips.

May 19, 2025

Friday Video: A Deep Dive on the Endless Debate Over Bike Helmets

Everything you need to know the next time someone asks you if you're "for or against" bike helmets.

May 16, 2025

Disrupting Friday’s Headlines

Elevator pitch: Buses, but they only seat six people, and you have to book one ahead of time.

May 16, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Running to Work

Bridge engineer Daniel Baxter on his almost daily running commute in Minneapolis.

May 15, 2025
See all posts