Boehner: "So Be It" If Federal Workers Lose Jobs Under Cuts

On Capitol Hill, Republicans are vowing to push for deeper spending cuts as Congress takes up President Obama’s $3.7 trillion proposed budget. Republican leaders say Obama’s plan does not go far enough in trimming the federal deficit. The proposal includes a record base budget of $553 billion for the Pentagon as well as widespread cuts to social programs, including heating assistance for the poor. On Tuesday, House Majority Leader John Boehner sparked controversy after shrugging off the prospect that spending cuts will leave thousands of government workers unemployed. Boehner said, "So be it." Boehner went on to add that funding for Social Security and Medicare could also be targeted, saying, "Republicans will not punt. Everything is on the table."

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