The Budget Deal

The Senate passed the Ryan-Murray budget deal, which now goes to the President for signature.  For details on the legislation, click here. The actual bill is the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013.

My take:

Pro

An agreement was finally reached

The savings are estimated at $23 billion over 10 years

It wrestles spending authority away from the President

Taxes were not increased (although numerous fees were)

It eliminates the threat of a government shutdown for two years

Ryan took a risk  - and provided some leadership

Con

The savings are backloaded (they may never happen)

Spending increases by $63 billion over the next two years

The largest offset comes from an adjustment to military retiree's pension

The sequester cuts were compromised

No reforms on entitlements

Ryan took a risk  - and po'd many conservatives

I like the deal as a small step in anticipation the 2014 election.  It will help keep the focus away from Congress and keep it on the President, Obamacare and big government.