As Tea Party activists rallied across the street from the Capitol, Republican leaders pledged they would fight to include $61 billion in budget cuts in a funding deal needed to prevent a government shutdown.
The latest negotiations between Democrats and Republicans are centered around a compromise that would cut just $33 billion from this year's budget, which runs through September. But that number is not sitting well with many in the GOP, who pledged during last year's campaign to cut deeper.
Fiscally conservative Republicans, including dozens of freshmen backed by the Tea Party, have signaled they do not want to accept a budget deal with less than the $61 billion in cuts passed earlier by the House and they are pressuring House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, to hold out for more.
"We want to be as bold as we can," said Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill., a conservative freshman and Tea Party activist. "There is a strong sentiment that this fight is not inconsequential. Everybody I'm talking to on this side of the aisle is saying we are ready to have a fight on that number - $61 billion."
Tea Party presses GOP to get tough on budget cuts
◼ Tea Party presses GOP to get tough on budget cuts - Susan Ferrechio/Washington Examiner
