The simmering tensions between House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, and House Republican appropriators may be on the verge of boiling over into an intramural battle, as Armey Wednesday said the supplemental spending package to be considered in the next few weeks should be offset-while appropriators questioned the feasibility of the plan.
"It has been the practice of this majority to offset supplementals," Armey told reporters, later adding, "We will strive to offset the supplemental as much as possible."
In addition to completing normal appropriations bills, Congress is expected to consider a supplemental spending package for defense, embassy security and the year 2000 computer problem. The Agriculture appropriations measure also contains emergency supplemental assistance for farmers.
A group of House Republican moderates and conservatives has said the supplemental should be offset and will present GOP leaders later today with a list of $32 billion in possible cuts. Armey and House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., late Tuesday sent President Clinton a letter blasting the administration for proposing to exempt the supplemental emergency funding from spending caps.
"There is a clear difference in philosophy," Armey said, adding that Republicans want to use a part of the budget surplus for tax cuts.
Armey conceded farm aid is urgent but questioned whether the Y2K problem is an emergency. "It's not like an act of God that suddenly comes up on you," he said. In addition, extra funding for embassy security has been an ongoing debate, he said, while adding that the Clinton administration has failed to request enough funding for Bosnia virtually every year.
"The needs are genuine," Armey said, but added that they should be paid for through "reallocations of priorities to the extent possible."
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bob Livingston, R-La., has said he is willing to examine offsets, but he has questioned the ability to pass them. Told about Armey's comments, a senior House Appropriations Committee aide said, "Before people send a multi-billion dollar offset package out there, they ought to think about whether they can get it through this system."
The aide also said the offset battle could delay adjournment of the 105th Congress. He said the embassy security funds are desperately needed. "These people need to be protected," the aide said. Discussing Bosnia and defense spending, the aide said, "Mr. Armey's memory is short," adding that a supplemental spending package for Bosnia was not paid for with offsets earlier this year.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, has said the funding should be classified as emergency. "We're going to wait and see what the House sends over," a Senate GOP aide said, adding that the House is likely to have a major fight over the issue.