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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Real Work On Budget Slows Gop Gingrich Admits Writing Legislation Is The Tough Part

Associated Press

Now comes the hard part.

After barreling through the “Contract With America” in fewer than 100 days, the Republican-controlled House returns to the Capitol this week to begin writing legislation to wipe out federal deficits over the next seven years.

“It will be tough,” said House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, preparing to lead GOP lawmakers on a two-day retreat at week’s end to review the challenge ahead.

With Democrats and interest groups already attacking many proposals fiercely, some Republicans concede a risk to their new - and narrow - 14-seat majority in the House.

Yet as they neared the end of a three-week spring break, several Republicans said their constituents are ready to accept the reductions.

Rep. Sam Brownback, a freshman from Kansas, described the reaction back home this way: “It’s kind of like going to the doctor and getting the immunization. They say, ‘Don’t show me the needle … just do it right and get it over with.”’

It will take more than $1 trillion in savings to balance the budget over seven years, and Republicans in the House and Senate are expected to vote to eliminate some programs, force sharp cuts in others and slow the rate of growth in many more. They’re eyeing Medicare, the politically popular program that provides health care for the elderly, for as much as $305 billion in savings over seven years according to House Budget Committee proposals.

But Rep. Richard Gephardt, House Democratic leader, said, “I don’t think we ought to cut Medicare and Social Security. I don’t think we ought to cut student loans and school lunches. I really don’t think we ought to eat our seed corn.”

However it plays out, nothing Congress does is as quick as a shot in the doctor’s office.

The process will consume months. Drafting a spending blueprint, reconciling it with one in progress in the Senate, then doing the same with actual spending bills, will in all likelihood take until well past Labor Day.

While questions of taxing and spending percolate for the next few weeks, other high-profile items dot the agenda.

Gingrich and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas both say they want legislation on Clinton’s desk by Memorial Day to strengthen the FBI’s hand against domestic terrorism. The administration requested changes in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing.

The bombing also has caused House Republicans to delay an attempt to repeal a year-old ban on semiautomatic assault weapons.

In the Senate, Clinton’s embattled nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Henry Foster, is slated to go before the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee on Tuesday for a confirmation hearing. Republicans are expected to quiz him about abortions he has performed, and Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, a GOP presidential contender, has pledged to filibuster the nomination.