White House to Veto Spending Cuts, Balanced Budget Amendment

Posted July 18th, 2011 at 7:55 pm (UTC-5)
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The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives votes Tuesday on a budget bill that the White House says President Obama will veto.

The so-called Cut, Cap and Balance Act would require billions of dollars in immediate spending cuts, trillions of dollars in future spending limits, and a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget — outlawing the government from spending more money than it takes in.

Conservatives say that if the bill passes, they will vote to raise the country's debt limit so that the United States can avoid default. Even if the bill were to pass the House, it would stand little chance in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

The White House calls the proposed legislation an empty political statement with unrealistic goals. It says the bill would severely harm the government's ability to help middle-class Americans and the elderly.

President Obama said Monday that talks with congressional leaders on raising the debt ceiling by August 2 are making progress. His spokesman said everyone is unanimous on the need to reach a solution by the deadline.

Republicans have said they will not accept the president's insistence that taxes must be raised to generate badly needed revenue.

Republican House Speaker John Boehner says Mr. Obama is unwilling to cut spending. He calls on the president to show more courage.