"Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Tuesday released his budget proposal calling for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and slashing the discretionary spending that helps protect Americans from climate-related threats."
"'We were struck in part because Mr. Ryan leads off his budget document by talking about protecting Americans and we're concerned because it doesn't,' said Josh Saks, legislative director for the National Wildlife Federation. 'It doesn't address climate change, but it also undercuts agencies like NOAA and FEMA that help us understand when these storms are coming and how to be more resilient in the face of them.'
Saks is alluding to cutting discretionary spending -- the operating expenses of the government -- leaving it relatively flat over a 10-year budget period, though it's impossible to say which specific programs would be cut. Discretionary spending would go from $1.114 trillion in the 2014 fiscal year to $1.209 trillion in 2023. That's average annual growth of less than 1 percent and $249 billion less than what would be spent under current policies, according to the plan."
Lucia Graves reports for the Huffington Post March 12, 2013.
