Dems Plan to Avoid Deficit Vote by 'Deeming' an Alternative Budget

Meredith Jessup | June 21, 2010 12:30 PM

Welcome to the “new era of fiscal responsibility”--under the leadership of congressional Democrats and President Obama.

The Hill reports that House Democrats are preparing an "alternative budget measure" to set next year's spending levels without requiring an actual vote on deficits:

House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-S.C.) said the alternative would be the “functional equivalent” of a full-fledged budget. But because it won’t be a traditional budget resolution, it will be silent on future deficits, which are expected to average nearly $1 trillion for the next decade.

Democrats have expressed concern about voting for a document showing lots of red ink in an election year.

If the House decides to go the "alternative" route, it will mark the first time in history the House has not even proposed a budget resolution.