Deficit Plan Gets Key GOP Support .

[Elmore Furth]

Source: Wall Street Journal

Support for a White House panel's debt-reduction plan by two influential Republicans increased chances that elements of the package will shape next year's federal budget negotiations. But resistance from other fiscal hawks on the commission suggest a consensus on tax and spending policies will remain elusive.

Republican Sens. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Mike Crapo of Idaho said Thursday they would support a plan advanced Wednesday by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.

Three other lawmakers, Rep. Paul Ryan (R., Wis.), Rep. Dave Camp (R., Mich.), and Sen. Max Baucus (D., Mont.), said they would vote against it. The opposition of Messrs. Camp and Baucus are particularly notable because they will lead the congressional committees that write tax policy next year and will have broad influence over any changes in that area.

With Messrs. Coburn and Crapo on board, the proposal now will have the backing of nine of 18 commission members when the panel votes on the package Friday. That falls short of the 14 votes that House and Senate leaders have said would prompt them to put the plan to floor votes. But the proposal has drawn more support than expected, making it more likely to be the centerpiece of next year's budget talks.



Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703377504575650770366760884.html

[Zenlitened]

1. Durbin (D-ill) says he's a yes vote, too

Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/12/02/business/AP-US-Deficit-Commission.html?ref=aponline