House passes GOP budget that sharply cuts spending

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHERAssociated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans have passed a budget plan that would bring the federal government's finances into balance in 10 years by sharply cutting safety-net programs for the poor and by clamping down on domestic agencies.

It would not raise taxes, in sharp contrast to budget plans offered by Democrats.

Instead, the plan written by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan - which passed on a 221-207 party-line vote - would reduce spending on the Medicaid health care plan for the poor and eliminate "Obamacare" subsidies.

It exempts the Pentagon and Social Security beneficiaries from spending cuts but revives a plan to turn Medicare into a voucher-like system for beneficiaries born in 1959 or later.

The plan sets nonbinding targets for taxes and spending.

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