Republicans, who agreed that there was a potential framework a week ago, counter that the deal was spoiled by Democrats, who refused to lock in the level of entitlement savings or tax changes they would accept, and began to demand more revenues to match any substantive entitlement changes.
Some experts would argue differently, suggesting that a neoliberal agenda actually undermines socio-economic rights, as it reduces entrenched socio-economic rights to formal, procedural guarantees, rather than substantive material entitlements.
If he gets an amount in excess of $1 trillion — which would require additional measures beyond ending the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy — a substantive deal on entitlements becomes more palatable.
Gibbs said implementing the health care bill, moving immigration reform legislation through Congress and passing substantive tax reform and entitlement reform deals are the keys to a successful second term for Obama.
So odds tilt strongly against passage of substantive changes in taxes or entitlements until after Mr. Obama and his Republican adversaries place their alternatives in front of voters in the 2012 presidential campaign.
Some Republicans here, while not necessarily embracing Mr. Gingrich's language, said his reception at the debate showed that voters were ready to have a substantive discussion about minorities and entitlement programs without getting tied up in the enduring legacy of racial injustice.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term, "modifications to substantive law" refers to changes to or restrictions on entitlement law or other mandatory spending contained in appropriations Acts, notwithstanding section 250(c)(8) of BBEDCA [2 U.S.C. 900(c)(8)].
"He's very substantive on tax increases, very lip service when it comes to reform of entitlements".
— WITH Washington bitterly divided between a Democratic White House and a Republican Congress, it seems unlikely that America will see substantive progress on the grand challenges of the day, ranging from immigration to energy policy and entitlement programs.
But neither side reported any substantive progress as they searched for a formula that would include deep spending cuts, cost-saving changes to entitlement programs and an overhaul of the tax code that would increase revenues by closing certain tax breaks and eliminating deductions but also lower some tax rates.
