218 needed to pass the deficit reduction bill, if drilling in ANWR is attached. Let's hope this is accurate. The Blue Dogs, who usually sign on to deficit reduction, are passing on this budget reconciliation bill--especially since the Rethugs plan to soon introduce another $70 billion in tax cut extension. I read elsewhere that all the House Democrats now oppose drilling in ANWR. Could it be so?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,174987,00.htmlBut those moderate Democrats say they won't support deficit reduction when the GOP soon plans to extend $70 billion in tax cuts.
"We shouldn't go taking resources that help the middle class and poor, working Americans' mouths and families to pay for tax cuts on the other side," said Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tenn.
Late Tuesday, House Republicans had fewer than 180 of the necessary 218 votes to pass the deficit reduction bill. ANWR is a problem, but language to open up offshore drilling on the Eastern seaboard is too. As yet, GOP leaders have not figured out a solution to the intra-party collision of environmental and budget politics.