Suppose that budget compromises run as follows: there are spending cuts in the current (FY 2011) and next (FY 2012) appropriations, but it's about half of what Republicans are proposing. Meanwhile, virtually all of the major policy riders are eliminated -- no defunding of health care reform, no restrictions on EPA, Planned Parenthood continues to be eligible for government funds. Republicans get a vote on a balanced budget amendment, but it falls short. In exchange, Republicans approve appropriations for both years, and increase the debt ceiling.
If Republican Congressional leaders sign off on those deals and GOP Members vote for them in the House, will you consider that success? Failure? A reason to support primary challenges to Members who went along with the deal?
Can't speak for the target audience of course, but...
ReplyDeleteIsn't half of current proposals about $30 billion? Practically speaking, isn't that a drop in the bucket? And politically speaking, isn't that pretty close to what Obama's already put forward?
Doesn't seem like much of a victory to me. But what they were originally pushing for is bullshit anyway, so god only knows...