Bipartisan House and Senate negotiators agree on $73 billion figure for cuts in current-year budget

[ProSense]

Bipartisan House and Senate negotiators agree on $73 billion figure for cuts in current-year budget

By: CNN Congressional Correspondent Ted Barrett

Washington (CNN) –- Vice President Joe Biden announced late Wednesday that House and Senate bipartisan negotiators had agreed to a spending-cut target of $73 billion in 2011 budget talks aimed at heading off a government shutdown before next week, when a temporary bill keeping the government operating runs out.

Congress has been passing a series of short term spending resolutions since October 1, when the 2011 fiscal year began.

‘We’re all working off the same number now - $73 billion,” Biden said, emerging from a lengthy meeting with Senate Democratic leaders in the Capitol. “Obviously, there’s a difference in the composition of that number. What’s included, what’s not included. It’s gong to be a thorough negotiation.”

Biden said he spoke with House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and both men agreed the rest of the negotiations could be challenging in terms of reaching an agreement on what the make-up of the cuts will be and whether to include controversial policy restrictions in the bill.

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What’s John Boehner’s endgame?

[MannyGoldstein]

1. The spelunker triumphs again

Well played!

There will be hunger, cold, unemployment... and billions spent on a third war.

[neverforget]

4. Priorities Manny. The MIC needs to be fed.

[DrToast]

2. Wait, what?

Didn't the House pass $61 billion?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-18/u-s-house-nears-passing-bill-to-cut-government-spending-by-61-billion.html

how did we get to $73 billion?

[ProSense]

3. That was

the GOP dream bill. From the link:

<...>

Members adopted changes that will make agreement with the Senate difficult, including a ban on funds for President Barack Obama’s health-care overhaul and for Planned Parenthood, which provides abortions. The measure would block regulations on greenhouse-gas emissions, for-profit colleges and the Federal Communications Commission’s “net neutrality” Internet rules.

<...>

The Republican plan, designed to fulfill campaign promises by the party to slash federal spending, would kill more than 100 programs and cut funding for hundreds more.

It would make reductions in programs affecting education, the environment, health care, energy, science and the arts. The Peace Corps budget would be cut by 20 percent and the maximum Pell college tuition grant would be slashed by 15 percent. The Social Security Administration said it would have to furlough employees.

<...>

It failed in the Senate.

[DrToast]

5. I know it failed in the Senate. I'm asking why we're cutting more than they originally wanted

[vroomvroom]

6. To Sum Up: GOP Get their Dream Bill of $61 Billion in cuts PLUS an additional $12 Billion as Bonus..

NICE!

That'll show'em! Those evil GOP will now know not to F with Democrats...If you do you get everything you want and some.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

11. Harry Reid = Idiot

[onenote]

12. To sum up: you haven't read the posts explaining this

which make clear that its not what you think

[krawhitham]

13. The “deal” announced by Biden would cut $33 Billion in actual, current spending.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/31/american-sauce-beware-biden%E2%80%99s-math/

[Forkboy]

7. Not much to comment on until we see what cuts are or aren't made.

[midnight armadillo]

8. So what. They'll be back for the other $17 billion

Remember the GOP wanted $100 billion cut.

This is what Obama has reaped for caving on the Bush cuts for the wealthiest.

[geek tragedy]

9. Good explanation for $73 billion vs $30 billion disparity

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/31/american-sauce-beware-biden’s-math/

[JTFrog]

10. Good info. n/t