http://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-live/?hp=44 By BURGESS EVERETT |
12/15/13 8:59 AM EST
Rep. Paul Ryan shares House Speaker John Boehner’s frustrations about outside groups’ opposition to the bipartisan budget deal -- but argues those groups share Republicans’ goals.
In a joint interview with Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) aired Sunday on NBC's “Meet the Press,” the House Budget Committee chairman said that Boehner “just kind of got his Irish up” when the speaker slammed groups like Heritage Action for rejecting Ryan and Murray’s budget deal before it was even unveiled.
“He was frustrated that these groups came out in opposition to our budget agreement before we reached a budget agreement. I was frustrated, too,” the Wisconsin Republican said. “But I think these are very important elements of our conservative family. I would prefer to keep those conversations within the family.”
Much as the differences between Republican strategies were exposed during the government shutdown on defunding Obamacare, Ryan said conservative groups’ rejection of his narrow budget deal with Murray simply amounts a “difference of opinion on tactics.”
“These taxpayer groups are indispensable to keeping taxpayer interest accounted for, keeping people accountable. And we sometimes have difference of opinions on tactics. We all believe the same thing with respect to our ultimate goal,” Ryan said.
Ryan said he would prefer to have the House budget signed into law while Murray would choose the Senate’s vision. But in an era of divided government, the choice was between taking baby steps on common ground or hurtling toward another shutdown, he said.
