Words, partial sentences, and tidbits in this article that tell the story.
Republicans are considering
The proposal, which would be part of the House Budget Committee’s fiscal 2018
won’t specify which programs would get the ax; instead it will instruct committees to figure out what to cut to reach the savings.
most likely on the chopping block, the sources say,
and perhaps even veterans benefits.
If enacted,
will also likely include
that proposal is more symbolic and won’t become law under this budget,
reductions could become “very tough issues”
New spending, however, makes already tough math even trickier
“There are ways that we cannot only allow the president to keep his promise, but to help him keep his promise by fixing some of these mandatory programs.”
Final details of the GOP’s budget plan aren’t expected until June,
specific language mandating the mandatory cuts still hasn’t been written
tax reform, which “is complex enough on its own,”
Asked about mandatory programs that might be cut,
When so many of the entitlement programs are taken off the table for discussion … that limits our ability to fund the nondefense discretionary programs and other mandatory programs that affect a lot of people.”
moderates have voted for GOP budgets that included similar cuts in the past — so they should be able to support them again.
But if House GOP leadership has learned anything from the Obamacare repeal debacle, it should be that voting for something that has no chance of becoming law and makes for great campaign fodder is much easier than backing a bill that could be enacted.