The 'aggressive' GOP alternative to Paul Ryan's plan
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and the Republican Study Committee unveil a budget that would eradicate the deficit by 2020. Will it get a better reception than Rep. Ryan's controversial plan?
![Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and the Republican Study Committee presented an alternative budget plan to Paul Ryan's that includes even deeper domestic spending cuts.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ECtedrph8QuWuJVjAGZeba-415-80.jpg)
Just days after Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) unveiled his "Path to Prosperity" budget for 2012, a group of Republican lawmakers has announced a "starkly different" rival plan. Unlike Ryan's budget, the Republican Study Committee's "aggressive" proposal would balance the budget by 2020, by cutting discretionary spending even more dramatically, and pushing back the age at which Americans qualify for Social Security and Medicare benefits. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), head of the "hyper-conservative" group, said the budget was a "complementary effort" to Ryan's proposal. Few on the Left are giving the RSC plan much attention — but could this new plan supercede Ryan's among politicians on the Right?
Hopefully, because Ryan's plan doesn't go far enough: If Ryan's plan passed, the budget wouldn't be balanced until 2040, and we wouldn't pay our debt off until 2080, says John Stossel at Fox Business. That's not good enough. So three cheers for the RSC plan. "Or maybe just two," since it still doesn't cut defense spending. Who will tackle that?
"Three cheers for budget cuts"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
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, but Ryan's budget is starting to look less radical: By comparison, Ryan's approach seems relatively restrained, says Jennifer Rubin at The Washington Post, which may help his supporters counter Democratic obstinacy. The RSC's "more extreme plan may draw the fire" of liberal outrage, "hammering home the point that Ryan's budget isn't radical at all."
"Rep. Paul Ryan takes center stage"
Either GOP plan would be better than what the Left wants: The RSC's budget signals that we are "embarking on a mature dialogue on the future of our nation," says David Horowitz at RedState. Not that you'd know it from the "blank chalk board" that is the Democratic budget. The GOP now has "multiple budget plans to build upon." Just what is the Democratic solution to this fiscal crisis?
"RSC budget, Honest Solutions, builds upon Ryan's blueprint"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - July 26, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - campaign donations, yellow buses, and more
By The Week US Published
-
California orders mass dismantling of unhoused people's camps
Speed Read Gavin Newsom's move follows a Supreme Court ruling last month in favor of an Oregon city that ticketed people for sleeping outside
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
7 dreamy products to help you sleep better on vacation
The Week Recommends Don't snooze on these sleep aids
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published