Reid: Tea Party behind Republican budget cuts

Members of the House’s mostly conservative freshman class approached
House leadership last month as the 2011 budget proposal was being
drafted, demanding deeper cuts in return for their support.

As expected, Reid said he would not support the measure. He added that
he didn’t know a single Senate Democrat who would. A test vote to move
the budget proposal forward is scheduled for Tuesday.

“I won’t support that, and neither will any other Democrat I know of
here in the Senate,” said Reid.

The Senate will also consider a Democratic budget proposal that would
cut another $6.5 billion in spending compared to 2010 levels.

Reid noted in his floor speech that both plans are expected to fall
short of the 60 votes required to move them forward under Senate
rules.

“Everyone has done the math,” said Reid. “Everyone knows how these
votes will turn out. Likely neither proposal will pass and neither
will reach the president’s desk, and we will go back to square one at
the negotiating table.”