The bipartisan commission called the gang of six, composed of
three Democratic and three Republican Senators, have been quietly
working on a bipartisan budget option for over four months, but
delays in releasing a proposal may be a sign of trouble.
The group had indicated that a plan would be forthcoming at the
beginning of last week, in time for the beginning of the only
other bipartisan work on the budget taking place in Congress:
the Blair House budget talks.
The Blair House talks are being led by Vice President Joe Biden
and involve six legislators, this time representing both
chambers. Biden was appointed by President Obama to forge
a consensus but many worry that the assembled negotiators lack
the teeth to get the job done.
The hope was that the Senate commission's work could provide a
solid starting point for the Biden negotiations and quickly fast
track the talks with a higher starting point.
The Gang of Six are seen as having the experience and expertise
to sort out complicated issues, and a willingness to push past
traditional partisan divides for the sake of finding a workable
solution.
One of the six Senators announced that he will release a separate
budget as early as this week, indicating that the group's work is
definitely delayed.
Stay tuned. There is much more to follow.....
Sheila McKinney
