U.S. budget

Patrick Butler, president-CEO of America’s Public Television Stations: “Public television is primarily a local service, performed by 170 community, university and state licensees throughout America, pursuing essential missions of education, public safety and civic leadership for everyone — everywhere, every day, free of charge. Without the federal investment, this universal service would be impossible. And the farther away from major cities public television goes, the more important federal funding becomes.”

The proposed budget, for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, was being delivered to Congress Tuesday, setting off an extended debate in which Democrats are already attacking the administration for trying to balance the budget on the backs of the poor. Lawmakers from both parties have said major changes will be needed as the measure moves through Congress.

Though its chances of advancing in Congress are considered slim, the proposed budget put forth last week by House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan would zero out funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

With a Thanksgiving deadline fast approaching, a special debt-reduction committee is suddenly springing to life on Capitol Hill. Democrats made the first move in a closed-door meeting this week, pressing the bipartisan panel to pursue a far-reaching deal to slice $3 trillion from the federal budget over the next decade through an equal mix of spending cuts and new revenue. The proposal calls for significant cuts to health and retirement programs, as well as $1.3 trillion in new taxes.