Alabama GOP Sen. [crscore]Jeff Sessions[/crscore] says he is uncomfortable with what he knows about the proposed budget deal struck between outgoing speaker [crscore]John Boehner[/crscore] and President Barack Obama.
“My knees quiver at the sound,” Sessions told reporters Monday evening, according to Politico, as details of the deal became public.
“I’m worried about how fast it’s moving,” Sessions added. “I see no reason for that. Based on what I know now, it appears the president got whatever he wanted.”
The deal, officially unveiled by Boehner Tuesday, would suspend the debt limit through 2017. It would also raise domestic and defense spending levels put in place by the automatic cuts of 2011 known as sequestration, though Boehner says the raising of those caps would be offset with spending cuts elsewhere.
The effect would be removing the possibility of a government shutdown or default throughout the rest of the Obama years.
During a meeting with Republican lawmakers Tuesday morning, Boehner said the House will vote on the two-year budget agreement Wednesday. By making this deal as he departs the House, Boehner is doing a favor to Wisconsin Rep. [crscore]Paul Ryan[/crscore], who is expected to be elected Wednesday to replace Boehner.
Approached by reporters Tuesday, Ryan didn’t immediately endorse the deal, though expressed annoyance with the last minute nature of the deal, with Congress facing a Nov. 3 deadline to raise the debt limit: “I think this process stinks.”
“Under new management we are not going to run the House this way,” Ryan said.
Conservative groups Club for Growth and Heritage Action released a joint statement Tuesday articulating their opposition to “this zombie budget deal.”
“It represents the very worst of Washington – a last minute deal that increases spending and debt under the auspices of fiscal responsibility,” the groups said.
A number of conservative lawmakers are expected to oppose the deal. But the legislation could pass if enough moderate Republicans and Democrats join together.
