Senate Panel Drops Spending Cuts

[Eugene]

Senate Panel Drops Spending Cuts


Wednesday March 8, 2006 9:16 AM

By ANDREW TAYLOR

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - With many Republicans nervous about cutting popular programs in an election year,
a key Senate panel is prepared to drop President Bush's proposals for politically painful cuts
to Medicare, farm subsidies and food stamps.

And without spending cuts, a new round of tax cuts is also a nonstarter, stripping Bush's budget
of two of its signature initiatives.

<snip>

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg, R-N.H., said Tuesday that after shepherding through
a five-year, $39 billion benefit cut bill last year, he didn't have the votes for a second round
of cuts to entitlement programs like Medicare.

Gregg is expected to reveal his budget blueprint Wednesday and said he hopes to bring it
to a committee vote Thursday, with floor debate possible next week.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5670438,00.html

[acmavm]

1. Even with Diebold and the Kool Aid drinkers, the repubs are beginning

to figure out that they can't support their fearless (right) leader's insane budget proposals forever.

[FloridaPat]

2. Just during election years.

[acmavm]

3. That't true. n/t