Freedom Line Blog

It’s a busy week on Capitol Hill for votes on the federal budget. Earlier today, House Republicans passed the third iteration of Budget Chairman Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity plan, 221-207.

In past years, House passage of Ryan’s plan would be the first, and last, serious congressional action on the federal budget, since Senate Democrats refused to support President Barack Obama’s proposal or submit one of their own.

But not this year. Tomorrow, Senate Democrats will begin debate on their first budget outline in four years. As an added twist, the Democrats will offer amendments that resemble Ryan’s plan to see if Senate Republicans will go on the record to support it.

Voting will likely stretch into the wee hours of Saturday morning before Congress adjourns for a two week recess.

Politics aside, the Miami Herald shows just how far apart the sides are from a bipartisan resolution:

Total spending

Senate Democrats: $46.5 trillion

House Republicans: $41.7 trillion

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Total revenue

Senate Democrats: $41.2 trillion

House Republicans: $40.2 trillion

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10-year deficit

Senate Democrats: $5.4 trillion

House Republicans: $1.4 trillion

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National debt at end of 2023

Senate Democrats: $24.4 trillion

House Republicans: $20.3 trillion

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Social Security

Senate Democrats: $11.3 trillion

House Republicans: $11.3 trillion

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Medicare

Senate Democrats: $6.8 trillion

House Republicans: $6.7 trillion

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Health, including Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program

Senate Democrats: $6.6 trillion

House Republicans: $4.0 trillion

Check out the entire list here.