Topic: U.S. Senate Budget Committee

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6 ways to make tax reform happen

Here are six ideas that can guide Congress to a tax reform-deal that both parties should be able to live with – a deal that will raise necessary revenue and help pay down the debt.
In Pictures: Who's who in the US debt crisis
Obama open to short-term deal on debt ceiling. Here are five ideas.
Gallery: Retiring senators

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Girding for a federal budget battle royale, parties wrangle over rules

With Capitol Hill bracing for a battle over financial policy this summer, the focus now is on rules for the committee that will seek to reconcile House and Senate versions of the federal budget.
Student loan interest doubles in July due to Congressional inaction

The rate for subsidized Stafford loans is set to increase from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1, due to Congressional inaction, just as millions of new college students start signing up for fall courses.
Democrats' new budget proposal: why it's balanced ... but not balanced (+video)

Senate Democrats have put forward a new budget proposal that offers balanced deficit reduction (between cuts and new tax revenue), but doesn't balance the budget.
Why, after all these years, the Senate is working on a budget (+VIDEO)

Senate Democrats didn't pass a budget resolution for the previous three years, but they are taking steps to do it this year. Three things, in particular, have changed.
Tax VOX How would Paul Ryan's tax plan work?

Paul Ryan's tax play mimics the tactics of the 2012 campaign, Gleckman writes, promising tax reform built around wildly ambitious but gauzy rate reductions without a word about how to pay for them.
Paul Ryan's new budget whittles spending faster, still guts 'Obamacare'

Rep. Paul Ryan, GOP budget meister, unveils his latest budget blueprint Tuesday. It's not much different from his plan in prior years, but it accelerates the time frame for achieving a balanced budget.
Why March 1 isn't Congress's last chance to amend 'sequester' cuts

True, $85 billion in spending cuts kick in on March 1, but they won't be widely felt for several weeks. Meanwhile, funding for government operations expires March 27. The two fiscal issues could be rolled into one, but a top GOP appropriator sees that as a recipe for disaster.
6 ways to make tax reform happen

Here are six ideas that can guide Congress to a tax reform-deal that both parties should be able to live with – a deal that will raise necessary revenue and help pay down the debt.
Gloomy predictions as Washington approaches the 'fiscal cliff'

It's still possible that the 'fiscal cliff' with its automatic tax increases and across-the-board spending cuts can be avoided. But the clock is ticking toward Jan.1, and most lawmakers are pessimistic.
Stock market has tumbled since Obama reelection. Are investors angry?

The stock market has gone into a bit of a tailspin since the election. Wall Street's disappointment with the outcome will pass quickly, but concern about the 'fiscal cliff' is mounting.
Sequester blues: Congress faces buyer's remorse on defense cuts

With $1.2 trillion in mandated spending cuts set to start in 2013, lawmakers are scrambling to salvage $600 billion in defense spending. Meanwhile, there's plenty of blame to spread around for getting to this point.
Repealing Obama health-care law will be difficult, slow

Any realistic effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act is sure to get jumbled together with lots of other issues, including Medicare, taxes, food stamps and defense spending.
Fight brewing in Congress over budget, taxes

Last year, Congress put off hard decisions on the country's finances, but they are coming due in an election-year showdown.
Economist Mom Paul Ryan's budget and the sticking point between the left and right

In their calls for tax reform, Republican Paul Ryan and Democrat Kent Conrad have a lot in common. But the question over tax revenues continues to drive the two sides apart.
Economist Mom Tax policy won't fix the economy on its own

Many tax policy experts spin a simple fairy tale when they talk about how to reform the tax system. They say that we just need to cut tax rates, which will expand the economy, which in turn will reduce the deficit. But unfortunately, in the real world, we face real budget constraints and a real scarcity of resources.
On the Economy Ben Bernanke shows his mettle, again

In recent remarks, Ben Bernanke showed that he’s not at all swept up in optimism about recent improvements—he’s particularly on point regarding continued weaknesses in the job market—and he clearly cites all the reasons to keep pressing on monetary stimulus.
Senate wraps up year's work – finally

The US Senate – battered by fiscal crisis and gridlock – voted Saturday to fund the government through FY 2012 and extend a payroll tax cut, set to expire on Dec. 31. The House is expected to vote next week.
In Kansas, a combative Obama tries on his Teddy Roosevelt hat

In the Kansas town where Teddy Roosevelt called for a progressive 'New Nationalism,' Obama delivered a populist appeal fairness through taxes and regulation and an indictment of the GOP agenda as he sees it.
Payroll tax cut: why Republicans might back Obama's plan (VIDEO)

President Obama has hit the road to lobby for his plan to extend and expand this year's payroll tax cut 'holiday.' Though concerns remain, Republicans worry that Obama is gaining traction.
In Pictures: Who's who in the US debt crisis
Obama open to short-term deal on debt ceiling. Here are five ideas.

The scramble on Capitol Hill to come up with a solution to the nation’s debt crisis produced a surprise announcement from the White House Wednesday: Contrary to previous statements, President Obama would support a short-term deal to raise the debt ceiling. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney added an important caveat, however. The president would only sign the short-term deal if it was a means to buy time to finalize a longer-term deal without running afoul of the Aug. 2 deadline. Suddenly, Washington is awash in prospects for short term deals. Here are five:
Can President Obama jump-start debt talks?

President Obama has invited congressional leaders to the White House Thursday to try to resolve the stalemate over raising the debt limit. The deadline for a deal is Aug. 2.
White House insists taxes must be part of the debt and deficit solution

As debt talks shift to Obama, GOP Speaker John Boehner, and Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid, taxes remain the logjam. No one wants to be seen as giving ground on that issue too quickly.
A glint of compromise in Congress's debt limit stalemate?

Republicans say they'll raise the debt limit only if Congress passes 'real savings' in the form of spending cuts. Democrats prefer tax increases. A Senate vote Tuesday could offer a way to help bridge the divide.
Senate Democrats shoot down GOP's House budget plan. Now what?

Wary of the impact on Medicare, five Republicans joined Senate Democrats in defeating the Republican budget plan written by Rep. Paul Ryan. But the Democrats have no plan of their own, and this could hurt them.