House Republicans seek to raise spending

Three House Republicans yesterday introduced a substitute to the budget resolution that would boost discretionary spending.

The centrists hope to match the success of their Senate counterparts and increase money for education, health and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by $7.16 billion above the resolution marked up by Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle (R-Iowa).

GOP Reps. Mike Castle (Del.), Nancy Johnson (Conn.) and Dave Reichert (Wash.) sponsored the substitute amendment.

Castle and Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) are scheduled to debate the budget on C-SPAN at 7:45 a.m. today. Pence is the chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of fiscal conservatives seeking deeper cuts in discretionary funding.

The centrists are hopeful that the Rules Committee will allow their amendment to proceed to the floor, Castle spokeswoman Elizabeth Wenk said.