Democratic leader says Bush budget blueprint could die in Senate

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle said President Bush's budget blueprint is in danger of failing when it comes up for a vote this week because of concern over the size of the administration's proposed tax cut.

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Taxing and spending: Bush budget

"I'm encouraged by the reports just in the last 48 hours that the Republicans publicly acknowledge they don't have the votes today, so we think there is a possibility we could defeat the budget resolution (and) go back to the negotiating table," Daschle, D-South Dakota, said Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation."

But Sen. Don Nickles, R-Oklahoma, predicted Republicans would prevail in the evenly split Senate.

"By the end of this week we're going to pass the budget, and it's going to allow for up to $1.6 trillion in tax cuts," Nickles said on ABC's "This Week."

The vote on the non-binding budget resolution, which has already passed the House, has little practical effect, but it carries tremendous political weight for the president as he attempts to convince lawmakers to go along with his tax-cut plan.

Democrats favor a much smaller tax cut, proposing $60 billion in immediate tax cuts in contrast with Bush's 10-year, $1.6 trillion plan.

"I'm optimistic," Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, said on CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer." "I feel that the Democrats, as well as some Republicans, know that the president's plan, although well-intentioned, is way too heavy-duty in terms of the amount of tax cuts. It's way too high. It's irresponsible."

Nickles said Democrats just aren't interested in tax cuts. "Taxpayers are long overdue for getting tax relief," he said.

Some Republicans, however, remain publicly uncommitted to Bush's blueprint, fueling Democratic hopes that the administration could face an embarrassing defeat in the Senate.

Jim Jeffords of Vermont and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania are two Republican senators who have been described as wavering in their positions.

Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said he did not know whether he would support the plan of his former presidential rival.

"Well, again, I have every expectation of supporting the budget, but I'd like to see it," McCain said on NBC. "And I'd like to see what happens in the debate and the amendments before I would commit to that. But it seems to me the president in principle should have the budget, at least for further consideration, that he has proposed."

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The White House
 • U.S. President George W. Bush

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