Top GOP budget writer seeks negotiations on cuts

[February 21, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- A top Republican budget writer says it's unlikely the Senate will go along with steep cuts the House just passed.

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin says that Republicans and Democrats will have to negotiate to avoid a government shutdown. But Ryan insists that the GOP will not agree to even a temporary funding extension that leaves current levels of spending in place.

Legal authority for funding the government runs out March 4, and lawmakers are on their President's Day recess this week.

Appearing Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation," Ryan says that a short-term funding extension is likely but that Republicans will insist that the extension also make some cuts to the budget.

[Associated Press]

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