Senators line the steps to the Senate door of the Capitol to ... more >“There is an understanding and a recognition on my part that we need to reduce spending, we need to get back to balanced budgets, we need to reduce the deficit,” Mr. Donnelly said. “I hope I can be a part of making that happen.”
Sen. Tim Kaine, Virginia Democrat who won a hard-fought campaign against fellow former governor George Allen, said he is ready to get his “sleeves rolled up” and use his budgetary experience as former governor of the Old Dominion. He said the Senate’s ability to agree on a compromise bill over the New Year’s holiday “sends a good signal, but there’s much more to do.”
But Mr. McConnell said the fiscal cliff fight gives Republicans momentum and bargaining leverage in future spending-cut debates heading to the new Congress.
“President Obama declared the other night that those he calls ‘rich’ are now paying their ‘fair share,’” the Kentucky Republican said. “The president got his revenue. Now, it’s time to turn squarely to the real problem, which is spending.”
© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
Tom Howell Jr. covers politics for The Washington Times. He can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
Sean Lengell covers Congress and national politics and can be reached at slengell@washingtontimes.com.
By Jeffrey Scott Shapiro and T. Michael Andrews
The president's abuse of power crosses the line
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Join the Communities and submit your column in response to one written, or on something totally new and unique. We want to hear from you
Health care reform, organized medicine, physician practice management, and patient care--a real time look at the challenges facing doctors and patients in America today.
First over-the-counter column approved for fast and effective relief from even your worst media-induced headache.
Benghazi: The anatomy of a scandal
13 Photos
Vietnam Memorial adds four names
18 Photos
Cinco de Mayo on the Mall
11 Photos
NRA kicks off annual convention
8 Photos
California wildfires wreak havoc
37 Photos
