Although they are being hammered by Democrats for not yet producing a budget proposal, rank-and-file House Republicans said this week they are comfortable with the pace their leadership is taking in developing a spending blueprint for fiscal 1998.
Even members who normally are among the most impatient said they not unhappy with the current lack of a GOP plan -- even though by law, Congress is supposed to have completed a budget resolution by April 15.
"I believe the majority of the conference is behind where we're heading," said Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., who usually gets restless when Republicans are inactive in taking the lead on an issue.
GOP leaders have said they want to take their time -- spending this past week focusing on what they see as the inadequacies of the Clinton budget proposal, rather than marking up their own budget plan in committee. House Majority Leader Richard Armey, R-Texas, has said both the House and Senate will consider an FY98 spending blueprint during the first two weeks of May.
"This is a better process than it was before," said House Budget member David Hobson, R-Ohio. Hobson also noted Republicans have succeeded in their attempt to keep the attention on the Clinton budget proposal. "I don't think that would have happened if both budgets had been out there at the same time," he said.
Budget panel member Nick Smith, R-Mich., said Republicans are making an extra effort to try to get President Clinton to work with them -- particularly on Medicare. "We failed when we were out there by ourselves," he said.
Freshman Rep. Edward Pease, R-Ind., said the lack of a GOP plan is a sign that Republicans want to work with Clinton. "If we're sincere about wanting to work with the president, it's appropriate for us to ask whether we can work with him first," he said.
Souder said while he is satisfied right now, conservatives will get restless over the budget if Republicans do not produce one soon -- a symptom of what he sees as a larger issue of leadership. "The majority of the conference is behind what the leadership is doing, but they're concerned that we're never going to put forth a budget," he said. Hobson agreed, saying: "A point will be reached shortly. We've exposed his budget."
And while Republicans late this week expressed frustration with Clinton over his refusal to submit a new budget and to appoint a panel to study the Consumer Price Index, some holes are apparent in GOP unity. House Majority Whip DeLay floated the idea of delaying a tax cut plan until spending reductions are locked in -- a proposal Senate Finance Chairman Roth immediately blasted. Some House Republicans also are unhappy with that idea.
"When Republicans cease advocating for reductions in taxes as a major priority, we will have lost our way," said Rep. Robert Ehrlich, R-Md.
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