Boehner resists budget deal as Tea Partier seeks his ouster

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Democrats are saying that they've reached a compromise figure with Republicans on budget cuts, but GOP House Speaker John Boehner -- facing increasing pressure from the Tea Party -- says that's not true.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said today that Democrats and Republicans "have agreed upon a number on which to base our budget cuts," echoing remarks from Vice President Joe Biden Wednesday night. Both Democrats say the parties have agreed to cut a record $33 billion from the rest of this year's budget, which covers about six months. If Congress doesn't agree to a new spending bill by April 8, the federal government will shut down.

Boehner told reporters today, however, that lawmakers are working to come to an agreement on cuts but have not agreed to stop at $33 billion. "There is no agreement on numbers and nothing will be agreed to until everything is agreed to," he said.

In his remarks today, Reid echoed Democratic talking points that Boehner is paying heed to the Tea Party elements of his party, who want to see the Senate pass (at the very least) the House-approved budget that cuts $61 billion.

"I appreciate Speaker Boehner's participation in these talks," Reid said. "I'm sure it's not easy trying to negotiate with the Tea Party screaming in his right ear."

Tea Party groups are ratcheting up their pressure on Boehner today with a rally outside of the Capitol, with House Tea Party Caucus leader Rep. Michele Bachmann planning to speak. If Boehner fails to cut enough from the budget, Mark Meckler of the Tea Party Patriots told the Associated Press, Tea Partiers could mount a primary challenge against the speaker.

Meckler said "you're going to see massive amounts" of primary challenges against Republican lawmakers, including Boehner, next year if Republicans go along with the plan to cut $33 billion.

Judson Phillips of Tea Party Nation already said in a message to his organization today that "Boehner must go."

"The Tea Party must unite and make sure Boehner is replaced in the next election," he wrote. "We need people in leadership who are committed to cutting spending and eliminating these programs."

While Republican leaders were not expected to attend today's Tea Party rally, they nevertheless praised the group's presence.

"Despite the Democratic leadership's talking points, these folks are not radicals," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor today. "They're our next-door neighbors and our friends."

Boehner also told reporters today of the Tea Party, "I'm glad that they're engaged in the process," he said. "You know, I said over a year ago that we should talk with the Tea Party folks, that we should listen to them and we should walk amongst them. I don't feel any differently about it today. Any time Americans want to engage in their government..we should welcome that."

[san850]

If the Republicans wanted to "do what is right for this country", then please explain WHY they voted UNANIMOUSLY last month against a Democrat proposal to end over $40 Billion...yes, 40 BILLION DOLLARS, in taxpayer funded subsidies to five of the largest oil companies??

It is being reported that oil company profits are at an all-time high, so why would they need subsidies? Could it be that the Repugs are protecting their generous campaign donations from big oil?

The Tea Partiers are a bunch of hypocrites for screaming "not enough cuts" when they ALL voted to keep gifting the oil companies. They need to put up or shut up.

[crazyname]

We don't need compromise we need a strong budget cut! there has been no compromise form the dems in the past 2 years and that is why the budget is so jhigh, now those dirty B's want to compromise to save the pork projects and the illegal healthcare bill. Hold thir feet to the fire, bring teh budget back to 2007 2008 standards before the dems spent us into oblivion. We were all doing fine then, what has changed that we need another couple of trillion dollars to keep thingg going. Boehner, hold your ground, the dems want to shut down the government, let them and send them packing! Do what is right for the taxpayers of this country, not the warped democratic vision of a socialist regime!

[san850]

@crazyname....you say "Do what is right for the taxpayers of this country..". Why don't you ask Boehner and all the other Repubs why they voted against the Democrats' proposal to end over $40 billion in oil subsidies? You call that being fiscally responsible? Please!

[noloyalisti]

Bonehead and the other radical extremists on the Republican side are the perfect pawns for the evil filthy rich of America. They are ignorant and gullible and uneducated about our Constitution. The perfect big corporate puppets to destroy America for maximum profit for a few.

[davidlww]

It's always encouraging to see the opposition forces fighting among each other. Boehner has been Speaker for only three months. It's known as divide and conquer.

[formrusmcsgt]

"They're our next-door neighbors and our friends."- Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

Judson Phillips of Tea Party Nation already said in a message to his organization today that "Boehner must go."
----
That sounds real friendly to me too, Mitch...

Sheesh.

[dim_public]

Fools! No one is even asking what they are cutting in the budget!

I would like to pay less taxes as well, and to have a smaller government. However, I am not ready to accept the fact that bloated social programs are more of a problem than the extremely bloated budget of the defense. Lets cut spending, but lets start at the correct place! If they cannot do that, then forget it, they are not being serious at all.

Rather, their plans are to kill the social programs that benefit the poor, and plan to KEEP the defense budget intact and the big contractors they like to get in bed with.

If you believe otherwise, you are just being played!

[jimbom121]

agingfundamentalfemale

ummm, Obama's budget called for defense cuts, as well as cuts to oil subsidies.

[albo58]

Geez, the writer of this drivel is slightly slanted, don't you think? If anyone is "resisting" a budget "deal", its an inept President and his thieving allies in the Senate! Do you libs realise that these crooks are haggling over less than 1% of our deficit? Of course as long as you all get your government checks, you really don't care...this is truly the generation of swine!

[stevex47]

Wow, sounds like bohner is in their cross-hairs. Tea baggers targeting their own now?

[beavertonhilton]

now he's really got something to cry about

[trueblueusa]

Boehner liked them,....before they turned on him like a Rabid Dog

Goes to Prove' Be Careful What You Wish For '
Now,those " Wrong-Wing Nuts " smell blood