Negotiators settle on federal budget blueprint for 2010, vote is tomorrow

[babylonsister]

Negotiators settle on federal budget blueprint for 2010

By David Lightman | McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — Congressional budget negotiators agreed Tuesday on a 2010 blueprint aimed at smoothing the path for President Barack Obama's health-care proposals while cutting the deficit by more than half by 2012.

The House of Representatives and Senate are expected to vote Wednesday on the $3.5 trillion plan, with final passage expected before Obama begins his evening news conference.

The president doesn't have to sign the agreement, which sets benchmarks for the rest of the year. Under the complex budget process, Congress now will consider several bills that spell out exactly how money will be spent and raised, a process that's likely to continue through the fall.

As its guide, though, it will have the blueprint that lawmakers ironed out this week.

Its most controversial point is likely to involve health care, since the Senate could use a procedure called "reconciliation" to advance Obama's program. Under that rule, only 50 votes would be needed to cut off debate — Vice President Joe Biden would break any tie — instead of the 60 that usually are required.

Republicans were howling about the change Tuesday.:cry:

"Why wouldn't we want to have a full and clear and significant discussion of what we're doing to the American public and what the policy implications of health-care reform are on the floor of the Senate?" asked Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee.

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/67042.html

[dubeskin]

1. And what a perfect time for Specter

to start showing his true colors in his new party.

[babylonsister]

2. I guess we'll see what his true colors are. He's a big advocate of

healthcare reform, so that's a good start.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5552360&mesg_id=5552360