Budget resolution may be near, sources say

[Playinghardball]

Source: WDBJ7 .com

Hours before a midnight deadline, congressional leaders and White House officials have reportedly agreed on budget cuts to avoid a government shutdown. No deal is final yet, a Democratic official says.

Reporting from Washington— Just hours before a midnight deadline, congressional leaders and White House officials were “on the way to resolving” a key sticking point in a budget dispute that has threatened a government shutdown this weekend, a senior Democratic official said Friday.

The deal was not final, but the two sides have agreed on cuts of $38 billion, up from $34.5 billion being considered a day earlier, the official said, discussing the negotiations on condition of anonymity.

The deal also would resolve controversial GOP demands to restrict abortion and environmental regulation, but officials did not detail how those issues would be solved.

It was not clear Friday night when the deal might go before lawmakers for their approval. But if it holds up, it would finally resolve a dispute that has festered for more than two months.



Read more: http://www.wdbj7.com/la-pn-shutdown-deadline-20110409,0,6241784.story

[abqmufc]

1. If true, what is that extra $3.5 billion in cuts?

...and was it worth it?

I can only imagine some vital programs are part of the overall $38 billion in cuts being made to get a potential budget passed. The final $3.5 billion discussed in this article are probably some of the most vital. But we will not know till it is passed and signed.

I can imagine the GOP putting on the table Tribal programs such as Tribal environmental programs, Indian Health Service, and Head Start Programs (private companies can do it will be the logic). I can also imagine the Democrats accepting these cuts.

I can imagine funding for foster treatment care for at-risk youth was put on the table by the GOP (put them in jail will be their logic). I can also imagine "for the sake of the our Troops and other vital federal employees and services" they too will be acceptable cuts by the Democrats.

I can imagine R&D funding for Solar, Wind, and Wave energy will be put on the table by the GOP (who needs that stuff will be the battle cry). I bet the Democrats will take it, so long as they get to keep "Clean Coal Technology".

It sickens me to think what is on the table right now. :puke: :scared:

[bhikkhu]

3. Maybe they shaved .3% off defense spending...

it could happen?

[James48]

2. tweets

C-SPAN has some Congressional Member tweets, indicating a deal.