Senate Budget Resolution Passes 12 to 10
Apr 22, 2010

Chairman Kent Conrad announced the passage of his fiscal 2011 budget resolution by the Senate Budget Committee today on a party line vote of 12 to 10.  The document is a nonbinding framework that doesn't have to be signed into law by the president, but provides a strong indication of the budget road ahead.

Proposals include a $4 billion cut of President Obama's discretionary spending request, as well as a freeze of non-security discretionary spending for three years.  

No surprises here – I’m sure we can all think of a few things that might be cut from the President’s request, and since it does make up over half of discretionary spending, it would be prudent to start with defense, right?  Not according to Conrad.

The Chairman’s Mark finds its entire $4 billion cut in the budget for International Affairs, a move that, according to the document, is “strong on national defense” – meaning weak on development and diplomacy?