GOP Pushing for Spending and Tax Cuts

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Compassionate consevatism at its best.

By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Republican leaders in Congress are hoping to complete a bill to curb the growth of student loans, Medicaid and other benefit programs before Christmas, though they may delay extending tax cuts until next year.

Staff aides and lobbyists are skeptical about the prospects of finishing work in the next few weeks on five-year spending cuts of up to $50 billion.

But failure to deliver would disappoint GOP loyalists eager to see their party burnish its budget-cutting credentials, and would push the contentious issue into January or February, muddying the agenda for 2006.

The House returns for a scheduled two-week session on Tuesday; senators do not come back until next week.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051204/ap_on_go_co/congress_agenda