Watching america change
http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/12/17/bush.spending.ap/index.htmlBush looking at freezing domestic spending
The White House is telling federal agencies to expect lean budgets next year, with congressional aides and lobbyists saying President Bush appears ready to propose freezing or even slightly cutting overall domestic spending.
Targeted would be all annually approved programs except for defense and domestic security.
-snip-
Bush's stringent approach comes as record federal deficits that hit $413 billion last year hinder his ability to pay for overhauling Social Security and extending his tax cuts. He also has tied the budget shortfalls to the weakening dollar, and pledged to reduce red ink to help prop up the currency.
-snip-
(smirk says)
"What I'm saying is we're going to submit a tough budget," he said. "And I look forward to working with Congress on the tough budget."
-snip-
Last May, the White House budget office distributed a memo to federal agencies warning them to anticipate an overall domestic spending cut of about 0.7 percent next year. At the time, White House officials called the document an early step in the budget process.
"The budget process is still under way," White House budget office spokesman Chad Kolton said Thursday. He said the administration still intends to cut the deficit in half in five years, and the next budget "will reflect our commitment to stay on that path."
----------------------------------
watching america change