The Republican-led Senate voted Wednesday to enter final budget talks with allies in the House, clearing the way for a plan that seeks balance within a decade while cuing up a coveted path to repealing Obamacare.
House Speaker John A. Boehner named his conferees Tuesday, and the Senate was expected to follow suit by the afternoon, after voting 54-43 to kick off the conference.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi said his plan keeps Social Security solvent by finding cuts elsewhere, and restores cuts to Medicare that were included in Obamacare.
“A balanced budget approved by Congress will help make the government live within its means and set spending limits for our nation,” the Wyoming Republican said.
GOP leaders were supposed to polish off a unified budget by Wednesday, although Congress rarely meets the April 15 deadline.
At conference, lawmakers will try to hammer out differences over spending and their approaches to Medicare.
The House plan turns the health program for seniors into a voucher-like system, while the Senate’s does not.
Still, key negotiators say they should be able to sort out their differences. Both plans seek balance within a decade, and both call for the repeal of Obamacare while retaining the law’s tax revenues.
Democrats sought a seat at the table Wednesday, saying the majority’s plan puts the wealthy ahead of a struggling middle class.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vermont independent, complained the GOP plan made harsh cuts to the Medicaid health program for the poor and Pell grant program that helps working-class families send their kids to college.
“I find the Republican budget that will likely pass to be totally, totally inadequate and a budget whose priorities are way, way, way out of place with where the American people are,” said Mr. Sanders, who leads Democrats on the Budget Committee.
Republicans, though, are intent to pass a unified budget and take advantage of a process known as “reconciliation,” which would allow them to pass new legislation on a filibuster-proof basis in the Senate.
Leaders have said they are most likely to target Obamacare or tax reform with the tool.
Mr. Boehner appointed five GOP members Tuesday to the House-Senate budget conference, naming Budget Chairman Tom Price of Georgia along with Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Diane Black of Tennessee, Todd Rokita of Indiana and John Moolenaar of Michigan.
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, named three members from her side and mocked Republicans for missing Wednesday’s deadline to finish up.
“Even with control of both chambers of Congress, Republicans have been unable to enact a budget resolution by the deadline required under the law,” she said. “Now, a belated Republican conference committee huddles in secret, prioritizing the needs of the ultra-wealthy and special interests over America’s hard-working families.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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