House Republicans Don’t Seem Serious About Balancing the Budget

House Republicans made it clear that they want to leverage the debt ceiling fight to cut deep into our trillion-dollar budget deficit. They’ve solemnly declared their intention to balance the federal budget in 7-10 years. This is a fantastic goal. And when they figure out how to do it, I’m sure they’ll let us know.

I don’t care if you believe that trade a debt limit raise for massive cuts in expenditure is the right thing. Republicans are not able to reach a zero-deficit world in the manner they want.

No cuts in defense spending? No tax increase? Are you going to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits? It is unlikely that any of these things will happen, as belonging to Republican Party is not a political suicide deal. Future defense spending will be reduced. There will be an increase of taxes and fees. And there aren’t going to be cuts in Medicare or Social Security — at least not without both parties signing on.

Washington Post:

The party has so far focused its attention on reducing federal spending in health care, education and labor programs. This could be by billions of dollar. But some Republicans also have pitched a deeper examination of entitlements, which account for much of the government’s annual spending — and reflect some of the greatest looming fiscal challenges facing the United States.

Recent calls by GOP lawmakers for special panels to review changes to Medicare and Social Security, which are in serious trouble. This could result in benefits being cut within the next ten year. Others from the party have also outlined more specific plans to cut costs. This includes raising the Social Security retirement ages to 70 years to target younger Americans who are yet to receive federal benefits.

“We have no choice but to make hard decisions,” Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., the leader of Republican Study Committee, spoke to the Post. “Everybody has to look at everything.”

But the Democrats aren’t interested in cutting a single, solitary dollar from any federal program except defense. And that’s a problem. After spending more than $5 trillion since 2021, the Democrats are digging in to protect all the goodies they’ve given to their supporters. They cannot be dislodged easily.

Any plan to rethink entitlements faces strong opposition in Senate Democrats and could not gain meaningful momentum among Republicans in the House. The political problem is exacerbated by the fact that former president DonaldTrump waded into the debate Friday, he warned his party publicly about cutting “a single penny from Medicare or Social Security.”

Democrats have been harsh in their criticisms and said that millions of Americans could have their benefits cut by the new House GOP majority. As President Biden prepares to meet with McCarthy about a host of fiscal issues, he stressed that he would not reach a similar deal with Republicans.

Biden continues to insist that he won’t even negotiate with the GOP on spending cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. It may be dangerous and stupid to hold the debt ceiling vote hostage but it’s also dangerous and stupid to refuse to talk to the opposition. Seventy-million people didn’t vote for Biden during the 2020 election. Arrogant and foolish is to dismiss their representatives because they believe you have a better view of goodness and wisdom.

Related: 56% of U.S. Voters Prefer Government Shutdown to Raising Debt Ceiling

Biden will make it to the table. And when he does, the GOP better have some realistic ideas on how to cut the budget deficit — ideas that don’t include cutting benefits from the two most popular programs offered by the federal government.

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