House Republicans Rallying Behind Budget Deal

“House Republicans appeared Wednesday to be rallying around an $85 billion deal to avert ­another government shutdown, brushing off complaints from their right wing that the effort would trade immediate spending cuts for less-certain long-term savings,” the Washington Post reports.

“After conducting a series of closed-door briefings and polling members during a late-afternoon vote, GOP leadership aides confidently predicted that the deal struck between House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) would sail through the House when it comes to a vote Thursday.”

Wall Street Journal: “Many Democratic leaders were noncommittal, because they were
disappointed the deal didn’t include a renewal of expanded unemployment
benefits due to expire Dec. 28. Still, even those inclined to oppose it
predicted the budget deal would pass.”

Jonathan Chait: “So the deal will probably pass. But conservative opposition signals
that deal-making of any kind is painful enough that Republicans
shouldn’t dare try it again.”