House Passes "The Bob Dole Budget"

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, May 16) -- House Republicans passed their latest seven-year balancing budget plan on a near party-line vote, calling it the "Bob Dole budget" in honor of their presumptive presidential nominee.

The plan balances the budget by 2002, cutting taxes $122 billion and slowing the growth of Medicare, welfare and other domestic programs by $700 billion. "We're about taking power in Washington and sending it home," said House Budget Committee Chairman John Kasich, an Ohio Republican. "It's a giant first step."

Democrats weren't as impressed. "This is a wish list that never will become law," pouted Rep. Sam Gibbons (D-Fla.). But Democrats couldn't show the same unity as Republicans: President Bill Clinton's budget proposal was defeated 304-117, with over 70 Democrats voting no.

Meanwhile, the Senate debated a similar proposal but had a lengthy list of amendments to wade through.

Related Stories:

• Interview With John Kasich -- May 12, 1996
• Lawmakers Hammer Budget Proposals, Each Other -- May 9, 1996

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