House Gains Budget Leverage over Senate

The Republican-controlled House has gained advantage over the Democratic-controlled Senate on the budget issue. That’s because the House has acted quickly and forcefully, while the Senate has dithered, Politico reports.

Reid

House Republicans even drew Democratic support on a bill to cut $4 billion in spending and keep the government open until March 18. The measure passed 335-91 Tuesday. That avoids a government shutdown on March 4, but the two-week period doesn’t give President Barack Obama time enough to inject himself strongly into the spending debate.

Democrats are starting to turn on each other. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid criticizes the president for not taking enough action. “Have they been involved enough?" Reid said of the White House. "Well I think they should be involved more, and I think they will be.”