From Washington Straight

When the GOP launched its “battle of the budget” on March 4, congressional Democrats reacted predictably: they challenged the budgetcutters to particularize about areas where cuts could be made. The President took the same line several days later. But the Republicans are not rising to the bait.

At a special budget press conference, Rep. Frank Bow (R., O.) made two facts clear: First, his committee (which includes the ranking Republicans on the various House Appropriations subcommittees) had made a careful study of the proposed budget, with Maurice Stans, Eisenhower’s former budget director, providing expert guidance. The group insisted that between $10 and $15 billion could be lopped off the budget without impairing national security or essential government services. Second, that it would be neither appropriate nor politically wise to reveal at this time the specific cuts the GOP would propose since the subcommittees of the Appropriations Committee have barely begun their long job of examining the budget and hearing witnesses.

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When the GOP launched its “battle of the budget” on March 4, congressional Democrats reacted predictably: they challenged the budgetcutters to particularize about areas where cuts could be made. The President took the same line several days later. But the Republicans are not rising to the bait.

At a special budget press conference, Rep. Frank Bow (R., O.) made two facts clear: First, his committee (which includes the ranking Republicans on the various House Appropriations subcommittees) had made a careful study of the proposed budget, with Maurice Stans, Eisenhower’s former budget director, providing expert guidance. The group insisted that between $10 and $15 billion could be lopped off the budget without impairing national security or essential government services. Second, that it would be neither appropriate nor politically wise to reveal at this time the specific cuts the GOP would propose since the subcommittees of the Appropriations Committee have barely begun their long job of examining the budget and hearing witnesses.