House GOP’s ‘riders’ restricting federal agencies could hinder budget deal

[alp227]

Source: The Washington Post

Congressional leaders in both parties agree they have to stop putting off the inevitable and reach a deal to fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year in September.

Washington is limping along on stopgap funds that expire April 8, the sixth short-term extension in the past 5 1 / 2 months. Neither side wants to pass another one. The extensions are a hassle to negotiate, with the two parties bickering over spending cuts for little benefit.

But there is one big obstacle in the way of a long-term deal that goes beyond the arguments over dollars and cents. The budget proposal the House Republican majority approved this year included a number of unrelated amendments — riders, in Congress-speak — that would impose restrictions on federal agencies.

One rider would prohibit federal money from going to Planned Parenthood. Another would curtail the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to monitor the air and water and restrict the use of funds to inspect coal mines.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress_hits_rider_issue_latest_hurdle_to_a_budget_deal/2011/03/18/ABLwYgPB_story.html