, Columnist
Why the Republicans’ Budget Bill Won’t Add Up
The legislation will increase the deficit and cut Medicaid, although members will deny that it does either of these things.
The devil’s in the details.
Photographer: Saul Loeb/AFP
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They have been avoiding it all year, but when congressional Republicans return to Washington this week, they will need to focus on their main job: deciding exactly how to spend the people’s money. So far, depending on how you look at it, they have either done a terrible job of forging consensus on this question, or an excellent job of keeping their plans so vague they are difficult to attack.
At this point, however, if they want to advance their budget reconciliation bill, they are going to have to start showing their cards. A few things are knowable.