
You know that Pennsylvania is in tough times when Congress is able to break gridlock and come to a compromise on a budget before Pennsylvania does.
The federal budget, passed and signed in late October, equally distributes new spending between domestic and defense programs. Provisions in Social Security and Medicare programs were addressed, but neither program was cut. No additional tax revenues were included in the budget compromise.
While the budget compromise was seen as a win for departing Speaker of the House John Boehner, incoming Speaker Paul Ryan and the President, it has drawn the ire of many Tea Party conservatives in the legislature. Much of the revenue generated is considered to be generously estimated, and discretionary spending concessions have angered many fiscal conservatives and budget hawks.
Regardless of this opposition, the budget passed the House with a vote of 266-167, and passed the Senate by a vote of 64-35. It was signed by President Obama shortly before the budget deadline would have forced a shutdown.
The federal budget, passed and signed in late October, equally distributes new spending between domestic and defense programs. Provisions in Social Security and Medicare programs were addressed, but neither program was cut. No additional tax revenues were included in the budget compromise.
While the budget compromise was seen as a win for departing Speaker of the House John Boehner, incoming Speaker Paul Ryan and the President, it has drawn the ire of many Tea Party conservatives in the legislature. Much of the revenue generated is considered to be generously estimated, and discretionary spending concessions have angered many fiscal conservatives and budget hawks.
Regardless of this opposition, the budget passed the House with a vote of 266-167, and passed the Senate by a vote of 64-35. It was signed by President Obama shortly before the budget deadline would have forced a shutdown.