Politicspaul ryan 2016Politics 2016 elections

Lindsey Graham: Paul Ryan Budget Deal Boosts His 2016 White House Chances

Lindsey Graham: Paul Ryan Budget Deal Boosts His 2016 White House Chances
Open Image Modal
By 

Senior Politics Reporter, HuffPost

Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 10: Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) speaks at a press conference announcing a bipartisan budget deal, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, as House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) looks on at the U.S. Capitol on December 10, 2013 in Washington, DC. The $85 billion agreement would set new spending levels for the next two years and create $63 billion in so-called 'sequester relief.' (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON -- If Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has any interest in entering the 2016 presidential field, the bipartisan budget proposal he put forward Tuesday could give him a leg up in the race, said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

The deal Ryan unveiled with Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) is likely to anger some fiscal conservatives, given that it provides $63 billion in sequestration relief and increases spending by tens of billions to $1.012 trillion next year. Conservatives have pushed to keep the across-the-board sequestration cuts in place without steep reductions in entitlement programs as a trade-off.

But Graham said the proposal from Ryan, who was Mitt Romney's running mate in 2012, is actually a good move if he's eyeing a White House bid in 2016.

"From my point of view, he's showing leadership," the South Carolina conservative told reporters. "I mean, if you want to become president, maybe instead of trying to please every faction of your party, maybe you should show the country as a whole I can actually work with the other side on something important."

Graham added with a laugh, "It's a unique way to become president, but I think it might actually work."

A request for comment from Ryan's spokesman was not immediately returned.

For his part, Ryan made the case why conservatives should get behind the deal he crafted for weeks behind closed doors with Murray. He highlighted that it cuts the deficit by as much as $23 billion, without raising taxes, and makes trims in a "smarter way" than the arbitrary, automatic cuts under sequestration.

"As a conservative, I think this is a step in the right direction," Ryan said, adding that he expects "great support" from his GOP colleagues.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

What Paul Ryan Doesn't Want You To Know About His Budget
Wealthy Benefit Most From Tax Cuts(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
Paul Ryan's most recent budget proposal would save those making between $20,000 and $30,000 just $246 in taxes, compared to savings of $265,011 for those who make over $1 million, according to analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (credit:ShutterStock)
Health Care Cuts(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
The "Path to Prosperity" would cut $2.4 trillion from Medicaid and other health care programs for people with low or moderate incomes, according to analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (credit:AP)
Fewer People Covered By Medicaid(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
Under Ryan's "Path to Prosperity" as many as 44 million fewer people would be covered under Medicaid, according to CBS News. (credit:AP)
Reduced Health Care For Retirees(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
Ryan would raise the age of Medicare eligibility from 65 to 67. If the Affordable Care Act was repealed, something Romney has pledged, that means many 65- and 66-year-olds would be left uninsured, the CBPP reports. (credit:ShutterStock)
Seniors Would Pay More For Health Coverage(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
Under Ryan's "Path to Prosperity," senior citizens would have to pay as much as 68 percent of their health care coverage, up from 25 percent today, CBS News reports.
Cuts To Food Stamp Programs(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
Ryan's proposed "Path to Prosperity" includes $134 billion in cuts to SNAP, according to analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (credit:AP)
Lower Tax Credit For Single Moms(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
A single mother of two working full time at the minimum wage would have her Child Tax Credit cut by more than $1,500, assuming she made $14,500 a year, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (credit:AP)
Less Money For Education (08 of10)
Open Image Modal
Compared to the most recent White House budget proposal, Ryan's budget spends 33 percent less on education, training, employment and social services, the Washington Post reports. (credit:AP)
Poor Weather Forecasts(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
Ryan's proposed cuts to environment and natural resource programs could result in weather forecasts being only half as accurate, according to Third Way's budget expert, David Kendall. "For many people planning a weekend outdoors, they may have to wait until Thursday for a forecast as accurate as one they now get on Monday," he's quoted as saying in the Washington Post. (credit:AP)
No Raises For Government Workers(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
The current government worker pay freeze would be extended under the "Path to Prosperity," meaning public-sector employees wouldn't get a raise until at least 2015, the Washington Post reports. (credit:AP)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip