The Republicans are trying to convince us that Obama and the democrats are all of a sudden

[PHILIP SCHNEIDER]

interested in cutting spending, that they finally understand the country is tanking. If you believe the Republicans, I got a bridge to sell you.

Last Week’s Budget Deal Not as Advertised

by Bethany S. Murphy

Seven months into the fiscal year, the government has been operating on an ad hoc basis, passing “continuing resolutions” every few weeks to ensure the government operates while a budget deal is reached.

Late last Friday, lawmakers struck a last minute deal to avert a government shutdown. At the time, we were assured that Congress would approve a final deal cutting $38.5 billion from the $3.5 trillion budget.

But as the details of the deal emerge, The Heritage Foundation and various media outlets are discovering the cuts are not as they were originally advertised.

Heritage’s Rory Cooper explains in today’s Morning Bell:

We’re still poring over the numbers, but this is a good time to remind the public that Congress needs to do the opposite of what former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca.) recommended last year when she said “we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.” The National Journal reports: “…the final cuts in the deal are advertised as $38.5 billion less than was appropriated in 2010, but after removing rescissions, cuts to reserve funds, and reductions in mandatory spending programs, discretionary spending will be reduced only by $14.7 billion.”

Heritage experts urge Congressmen to carefully read the bill before voting and ascertain that every cut possible was made. With a $1.6 trillion deficit, we cannot afford to delay real cuts any longer.