Conservatives had to settle for a budget amendment that could mean Congress will use tax hikes, along with budget cuts, to balance the books. It should squeak by in the Senate. The House’s line-item veto, though, faces serious resistance from Republican senators who fear ceding too much power to the president.
This one got sticky. Gingrich may have blown his political advantage by splitting the big anti-crime measure into six highly technical mini-bills to get it passed. And Clinton may veto it to stop the GOP from killing his beloved 100,000-cops program.
House Republicans brokered a grand compromise with governors. States will get more discretion to run welfare, but Congress gets to insist on two potent political points: banning cash to unwed teenage moms and legal immigrants.
Everyone likes this set of proposals, which attacks unsavory characters like child pornographers and deadbeat dads. No action yet.
Even the GOP now wonders, “Can we really reduce the deficit and cut taxes?” They’ve put off any floor vote until they find spending cuts.
GOP unity cracked when two dozen Republicans voted with Democrats against funding a “Star Wars-like” missile system. But the House did pass the full bill, which includes a provision banning our boys from serving under foreign U.N. commanders. Clinton will probably veto.
The GOP had planned to cut taxes for the wealthier elderly, but it now feels boxed in by pesky deficit-reduction promise. House will pass something, but Senate might not.
Radical anti-regulation plans trudging through committee. Liberals shriek as they watch business lobbyists help draft the bills. Meanwhile, given deficit worries, capital-gains tax cut may lose momentum.
House panels have adopted British-style “loser pays” system to discourage lawsuits. Personal-injury lawyers and allies like Ralph Nader will fight furiously to block it.
Big trouble. Old guard wants to limit members to 12 years in each chamber. Radical GOP members and talk-show hosts want six. Gingrich likes phony compromise allowing states to set any limit they want. Democrats want to call the GOP bluff and make term limits retroactive.
