Some House Democrats are
suggesting that Congress take on its own share of the sacrifice, sending a raft of proposals to the Super Congress for legislative cuts.
In a letter sent Wednesday to co-chairmen of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, House Administration Committee members Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Robert Brady (D-Pa.) and Charles Gonzalez (D-Texas) outlined their suggestions to help reduce the deficit.
“At present, annual outlays for the Legislative branch total roughly $5 billion,” according to the letter addressed to Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.). “Misguided cuts can increase spending, but careful scrutiny of the programs under our jurisdiction have revealed potential opportunities for additional savings."[...]
“Legislative branch agencies can adopt simple and effective energy policies, such as adjusting corridor lighting levels and ambient temperatures overnight,” according to a committee statement issued Thursday.
Hah! Reigniting the lightbulb wars in the literal halls of Congress (seriously, this is what Republicans fight over), by trying to find energy savings. Their other proposals are to modernize correspondence with constituents to use cheaper telecommunications technology, increase fees paid to the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress and consolidating Executive agency printing at the Government Printing Office.
That seems to be the most work exerted so far by Congress members to come up with specific proposals. As the deadline for a committee recommendation draws nearer, expectations for the committee seem to be being officially lowered. At least, that seems to be what House Speaker John Boehner was doing today. After all the sturm und drang Republicans created by forcing this committee's existence, they've certainly become lackadaisical about it. At least Democrats are coming up with their share of ideas, and their share of cuts.