federal budget

What’s the Reaction to Obama’s Social Security Proposal?

Posted on 04/10/2013 by Tamara Lytle | Washington Watch | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsWe knew it was coming. Still, now here, it’s causing quite a stir. President Obama’s new budget proposes a change in the formula for Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. Many Democrats are saying they disagree with their president. Many Republicans are saying they like the idea and want it implemented quickly. And advocates for older Americans are saying, “No way.” The proposed change, called the chained CPI, is a twist on the consumer price index, the formula that helps Social Security, veterans …

9 Things to Look for in the President’s Budget

Posted on 04/9/2013 by Tamara Lytle | Washington Watch | Comments

PoliticsThe GOP-controlled House of Representatives approved a budget proposal first. Then came a very different document from the Democratic-controlled Senate. Now thousands more pages of numbers will land with a thud on Capitol Hill on April 10. It’s the president’s annual budget proposal. Unless you’re an underemployed CPA or an incurable policy wonk, you probably won’t want to wade through all that. So here’s a short checklist of what you should watch for in the budget: A chained CPI. This twist on …

Senate GOP to Obama: Tone Down the Political Attacks

Posted on 03/15/2013 by Associated Press | General News | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsBy DAVID ESPO, Special Correspondent, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Polite yet firm, Senate Republicans told President Barack Obama on Thursday to tone down his political attacks and prod Democratic allies to support controversial changes in Medicare if he wants a compromise reducing deficits and providing stability to federal benefit programs. Participants at a 90-minute closed-door meeting said Obama acknowledged the point without yielding ground — and noted that Republicans criticize him freely. “To quote an old Chicago politician, …

FAQs: How Do Competing Budgets Compare on Health Care Savings?

Posted on 03/13/2013 by Kim Keister | News | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsFrom Kaiser Health News Republican and Democratic leaders from both chambers of Congress this week offered competing budget proposals that both look for savings in health care. KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about what’s next for the proposals, and what President Obama could offer himself. > > Listen to the audio or read a transcript below. Jackie Judd: Good day, this is Health on the Hill. I’m Jackie Judd. Congressional budget leaders have now laid out their vision for federal spending …

House Votes to Avert Shutdown; Obama Seeks Big Deal

Posted on 03/7/2013 by Associated Press | General News | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsBy Andrew Taylor and Davis Espo of The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans pushed legislation through the House on Wednesday to prevent a government shutdown this month while easing the short-term impact of $85 billion in spending cuts — at the same time previewing a longer-term plan to erase federal deficits without raising taxes. President Barack Obama pursued a different path as the GOP asserted its budget priorities. He hosted a dinner with a dozen Republican senators at a …

Obama, GOP Seek Spending Deal — Medicare Fight Looms

Posted on 03/6/2013 by Associated Press | General News | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsBy David Espo, Special Correspondent, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration and congressional Republicans are quietly working in tandem to blunt the impact of short-term spending cuts that kicked in with dire White House warnings a few days ago, with both sides eager to pocket the full savings for deficit reduction as they pivot to a new clash over Medicare. The overall size of the cuts remains in place: $85 billion in reductions through the end of …