This was a vote on a resolution setting a time limit for debate and prohibiting amendments to legislation requiring the House Budget Committee to set funding allocations for all federal programs (except those affecting national security) at 2008 levels or less. Specifically, the underlying legislation provided that federal spending on “non-security” programs could not exceed 2008 levels. The measure did not, however, define, “non-security.”

Rep. Tim Scott (R-SC) urged support for the resolution and the underlying budget measure: “Deficit spending in Washington is burdening future generations. Unborn Americans will have to pay for the benefits that we ascribe to ourselves. During the previous 2 years, Congress has added nearly $3.3 trillion to the national debt. Is it any wonder then that during the same time period our unemployment rate has skyrocketed from 7.8 percent to 9.4 percent?”

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) urged opposition to the resolution and the underlying measure: “I don't see any numbers on this budget resolution…I call it the ``budget-less'' resolution, because it contains no numbers, no specifics, and worst of all, no ideas for job creation or economic recovery…This is not the way to manage the budget. It's worse than arbitrary. It's like budgeting with blindfolds on. It gives no thought, no reasons, no real discussion on how the cuts would be made and what the ramifications would be.”

The House agreed to this resolution by a vote of 240-168. All 232 Republicans present and 8 Democrats voted “yea.” 168 Democrats voted “nay.” As a result, the House agreed to a resolution setting a time limit for debate and prohibiting amendments to legislation requiring the House Budget Committee to set funding allocations for all federal programs (except those affecting national security) at 2008 levels or less.