House leader 'hopeful' budget blueprint will pass by Easter

House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Tuesday he hopes the House can clear the fiscal 2011 budget resolution by the Easter recess, but stressed it was a goal and not a deadline.

"I'm hopeful," Hoyer said of the timeline. "The budget is a very tough item. The president has sent down an austere budget, correctly so, and we will have to deal with that."

"Hoyer pointed out that the budget might have to take a back seat to healthcare reform, which Democrats hope to complete in the next few weeks.

"Our objective is to pass both before the Easter break," said Hoyer. "Is it going to be difficult? Yes. Is it a deadline? No."