Will Republicans revolt over Boehner's budget deal?
The CBO says the last-minute compromise that prevented a government shutdown will only cut the deficit by a mere $352 million. Will that provoke a Tea Party rebellion?

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
The House will vote today on the $38 billion budget deal agreed to late last Friday by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), and President Obama. The agreement was the result of weeks of wrangling, and came mere hours before the government was due to shut down. But now, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has calculated that the deal will do almost nothing to repair the nation's long-term finances. Despite the touted $38 billion in cuts, total federal outlays will still rise by $177 billion, says the CBO, and the deficit will be reduced by a paltry $352 million. Tea Party-backed freshmen in Congress are already talking about voting against the deal, and presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty is amongst those demanding a leaner budget. Will Republicans turn on Boehner?
Yes. Freshman Republicans must vote against this disgrace: We already knew that the $38 billion in cuts was actually around $14 billion of real cuts and "a bunch of accounting gimmicks," says Erick Erickson at RedState. Now we hear that the deficit will only shrink by $352 million. Yes, "that's million with an 'm.'" Unbelievable. "If House Republicans vote for this bipartisan compromise, they should be driven into the street by the Tea Party movement and horsewhipped."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
No. Most Republicans are over this: The bill will pass, says Ed Morrissey at Hot Air, in part because "the conversation's already moved on to bigger money," such as the "erupting war" on the deficit between Obama and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), and the looming debt ceiling crisis. And if the Republican caucus forced a shutdown now, "they'd inevitably get more blame" than if it had happened last week. It will be close though; prepare for an "epic" House vote.
"CBO: Last week's $38 billion budget deal only reduces this year's deficit by... $352 million"
Either way, Boehner is on thin ice: The House speaker has put his caucus "in an awful fix," says the National Review in an editorial. Now the GOP must support a cynical deal "sold partly on false pretenses," or face another damaging government shutdown. If Republican lawmakers can't stomach a rejection of this budget, then at least they should be "frank about the deal's shortcomings," and refuse to"exaggerate its merits." As for Boehner, he should consider this "strike one" against his speakership.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
Trump surrenders in Georgia election subversion case
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries chosen to succeed Pelosi as leader of House Democrats
Speed Read
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
GOP leader Kevin McCarthy's bid for House speaker may really be in peril
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Are China's protests a real threat for Beijing?
opinion The sharpest opinions on the debate from around the web
By Harold Maass Published
-
Who is Nick Fuentes, the white nationalist who dined with Trump and Kanye?
Speed Read From Charlottesville to Mar-a-Lago in just five years
By Rafi Schwartz Published
-
Jury convicts Oath Keepers Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs of seditious conspiracy in landmark Jan. 6 verdict
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
A look at the White House's festive and homey holiday decor
Speed Read
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
Bob Iger addresses 'Don't Say Gay' bill, says inclusion is part of Disney's values
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published