The U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget bill Thursday that would avoid another government shutdown next year after it’s passed by the Senate.
Roy Meyers, professor of political science, analyzed the budget deal in detail in The London School of Economics USApp blog.
“Coming just two months after a foolish government shutdown caused by the antithesis of bipartisanship, the current budget agreement must be seen as an effort in reputation repair,” Meyers writes.
He notes the deal offsets spending increases with minor savings and extends “sequestration” ceilings on programs such as Medicare and fees for customs and border protection.
“This agreement symbolizes a ‘time out’ from major budgetary conflicts in anticipation of the primary and general elections,” Meyers writes.
With strong Republican opposition to any kind of tax increase and Democrats strongly against entitlement savings options, Meyers notes it could be a long time before any long-term budget deal is reached.
“The Bipartisan Budget Act may thus be more than a time out; it could be the practical end of the “grand bargain” illusion, at least for the next several years.”
You can read the full blog post on The London School of Economics USApp website here.
Tags: CAHSS, PoliticalScience
