The committee is trying to draft a budget bill acceptable to both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
A new balanced budget bill must be passed before Oct. 1 to prevent a government shutdown.
“We will see what is the outcome,” said Benavente, R-Saipan.
He is hoping that the committee will not increase the leadership account to $400,000 as proposed by Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan.
Benavente said he is glad that Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, asserted the Senate position against increasing the lawmakers’ discretionary fund and leadership account.
Benavente reiterated his support for the Senate proposal to impose an eight-hour instead of 16-hour cuts as recommended by the administration and the House leadership.
The Senate proposal, he added, is supported by revenue generating measures like House Bill 17-40 or the fee hike legislation.
“If the House did not consider revenue generating bills, then I would agree that a 16-hour cut is necessary. But if we are adding revenue generating bills that will accommodate for the other eight hours, then that will work,” he said.
