GOP lawmaker says Republicans need to cut more from budget

Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif.) during a floor speech Monday slammed the Republican budget proposal for not cutting enough spending.

Republicans, who now control the House, are wrestling with a spending plan to fund the government when the current continuing resolution expires on March 4. Congress did not pass a budget last year and the government has been running on a series of continuing resolutions. The latest Republican proposal would slash $61 billion from current spending levels. Campbell is chiding his own party for not cutting deep enough.

Campbell was one of several conservative members who successfully lobbied House leadership last week to seek greater cuts in their budget for the remainder of the current fiscal year. The original GOP proposal would have reduced spending by $32 billion.

{mosads}Campbell compared the national debt to a deadly disease.

“We have to kill this infection before it kills us,” he said.

Campbell placed the blame for massive deficits squarely on the shoulders of the Democrats, who have controlled the House, Senate and White House over the last two years. But he did not let his Republican colleagues off the hook.

“There are those on both sides decrying the cuts,” Campbell said. “I submit to you that the bill that is coming before us tomorrow does not cut enough.”