Lungren Supports Slash and Burn Constitional Amendment

Lungren to dead child: Tough luck

In a little noticed Congressional hearing held yesterday, Republican Rep. Dan Lungren (Ca-03) voted along party lines in support of a constitutional amendment that would limit federal spending.

The vote came not from one of the House's several finance committees, rather it came from the Judiciary Committee. The amendment would limit federal spending to 18 percent of gross national product by 2017.
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Congressman Paul Ryan's controversial budget plan seems tame in comparison as it seeks to limit federal spending to 18 percent by 2040.

Obviously a constitutional amendment of this sort would face several hurdles and is unlikely to see the light of day. Nonetheless, it does show how mean spirited Lungren and his colleagues have become.

During the debate yesterday, Democratic opponents on the committee noted this type of cut could only be accomplished by massive cuts to programs aiding families and children. Rep. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.) noted the death of a young boy from an abscessed tooth who didn't have access to health care.

According to Dana Milbank, Lungren was dismissive of concerns raised by Democrats on the committee as well as opposing colleagues :

“This bill would cut total funding for non-defense discretionary programs by approximately 70 percent in 2021, by more than $3 trillion over 10 years,” Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.) charged. Jackson Lee argued that this would lead to more cases like that of a boy who died from an abscessed tooth because “he had no access to health care.”

Republicans on the committee were unimpressed with this story. “The gentlelady talks about the riveting story of one child,” said Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.). “I could give you the riveting story of all children in America” who will be out of luck when entitlement programs “will be broke.”

“Well said,” added Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.).

“Well said,” echoed Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa).

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), referring to the amendment as “the Grim Reaper,” accused Republicans of “an assault on the middle class and the poor of this country” and an “orchestrated attack” on the weak — particularly children.

Three Republicans on the panel — Bob Goodlatte (Va.), Ted Poe (Tex.) and Jim Jordan (Ohio) — laughed at Johnson’s complaint.

Franks took this opportunity to attack the Democrats over abortion rights. “The party or group that supports allowing a policy that sees 4,000 children cut to pieces every day should not attack anyone on this side for trying to cut children,” he proclaimed.

Lungren, for his part, said Johnson was preventing “an adult conversation.” He added: “I would like to have at least an intelligent discussion.”

“I’m sorry that I’m not enunciating myself clearly or intelligently,” Johnson replied, bitterly.

After that exchange, Lungren went over to a colleague on the Republican side and shared a laugh. “We’re having much too much fun here today,” he said privately. “With a dismissive look over at Johnson and his Democratic colleagues, Lungren added, “Look what we’re up against.”


With the newly configured Third Congressional District, it will be interesting to see how Lungren's slash and burn philosophy plays out in 2012.