The House Appropriations Committee approved its part of the Economic Stimulus package on Wednesday, January 21. The total amount approved by the Committee was $358.1 B in discretionary spending that is in its jurisdiction.

The House Democratic leadership would like to move the entire Stimulus package totaling $825 B to a floor vote by next Wednesday, January 28. Two other House committees have to approve their parts of the Bill.

The Appropriations Committee approved its part of the Bill by a vote of 35-22. None of the Committee Republicans voted for it, because they objected to the size and content of the package. They argued that the parts of the Stimulus package under the Committee’s jurisdiction should be narrowed to focus on infrastructure projects that are guaranteed to create jobs quickly. They also argued that the funding will not boost the economy quickly and should instead be considered as part of the regular appropriations process.

Committee Republicans cited a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report that projects that most of the funding cannot be spent until 2010. Only 7 percent of the $358.1 would be spent by the end of FY 2009, 38 percent by the end of FY 2010 and 67 percent by the end of FY 2010.

Senate Republicans are making much the same argument as their House counterparts. Both Senate and House Republicans want more tax cuts in the package. On the Senate side, the Republicans may have the leverage to hold up the Bill until they get some of what they want, as the Democrats do not have a filibuster proof majority (60 votes).

President Obama wants to have the Economic Stimulus Bill on his desk by the February 16th, President’s Day Congressional recess. The growing objections of Congressional Republicans to the current makeup of the package may prevent that. Therefore, the President is meeting with the Congressional leadership of the House and the Senate, both Democrats and Republicans, to see if something can be worked out. In addition he will meet with all of the House and Senate Republicans the week of January 26.

The House Appropriations Committee’s Stimulus package includes funding for the following information technology infrastructure projects:

• $400 million to replace the 30 year old Social Security Administration’s National Computer Center to meet growing needs for processing retirement and disability claims and records storage.
• $245 million for critical IT improvements to systems in the Farm Service Agency that have been unable to handle workload increases.
• $276 million to upgrade and modernize information technology platforms for the State Department to meet security requirements post-9/11.
• $44 million for repairs and security improvements at USDA’s headquarters.
• $6 billion to expand broadband Internet access so businesses in rural and other underserved areas can link up to the global economy.
• $2 billion in this appropriations bill, and $20 billion overall, for health information technology to prevent medical mistakes, provide better care to patients and introduce cost-saving efficiencies.
• $600 million to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for satellite development and acquisitions, including climate sensors and climate modeling.
• $200 million to repair and modernize U.S. Geological Survey’s science facilities and equipment, including improvements to laboratories, earthquake monitoring systems, and computing capacity.
• $100 million, including $70 million for SBA’s Technology Innovation Program to accelerate research in potentially revolutionary technologies with high job growth potential, and $30 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnerships to help small and mid-size manufacturers compete globally by providing them with access to technology.
• $1.15 billion to construct GSA and Customs and Border Patrol land ports of entry to improve border security, make trade and travel easier and reduce wait times, and to procure non-intrusive inspection technology at sea ports of entry, which is used to scan cargo containers to reduce the risk that containers can be used to smuggle weapons of mass destruction.
• $20 billion to the Department of Education, including $14 billion for K-12 and $6 billion for higher education, for renovation and modernization, including technology upgrades and energy efficiency improvements.
• $1 billion to the Department of Education for grants for 21st century classrooms, including computer and science labs and teacher technology training.
• $250 million to the Department of Education for competitive grants to states to design and develop data systems that analyze individual student data to find ways to improve student achievement, providing teachers and administrators with effective tools.
• $100 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to improve state management information systems for the Women with Infants and Children (WIC) program.