As I understand it, this is not correct. The repubs went into this "round" asking for 61 billion+ because they already haad 38.5 billion and the 61 would have gotten them to 100, which is what they promised.
But Boener folded for 40 billion this round which is going to leave them at a total of 78.5 billion, short of the 100 billion promised.
The House freshmen repubs, IMHO, need to vote a definitive NO to this and show they are not willing to cave. If enough do, then the deal will fold...and, Boener's days as the speaker may be over, giving place for someone who will stand firm..which is, what I believe the American people want and voted for in 2010.
But Boener folded for 40 billion this round which is going to leave them at a total of 78.5 billion, short of the 100 billion promised.
Jeff, in all due respect, I believe that your numbers are in error.
The $61 billion objective equates to the $100 billion promise -- as applied to the fiscal year (which is October-September). Over the calendar year February-January, which is all that the new Congress can actually control, that would result in $100 billion in savings.
To my knowledge, there has never been an expectation of more than $61 billion in savings on the FY 2011 budget -- which ends in September. Thus, a $78.5 billion savings represents a meaningful gain.
In the total scheme of things, of course, that's a relative pittance. But it establishes that the GOP stood their ground...and prevailed.
Which bodes well for the larger battles soon to come...
The House freshmen repubs, IMHO, need to vote a definitive NO to this and show they are not willing to cave.
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Hopefully, they will!