Bass Fishing For Compromise

Bass votes for Ryan budget, also for one modeled after Simpson-Bowles.

Monday, April 2, 2012 | 10:57 a.m.

Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH) supported the "party-line" budget proposed by House Budget Chair Paul Ryan, after "first voting" for a bipartisan budget plan that "contained an ambitious deficit reduction proposal." Bass was among only 38 members to back the latter measure.

Bass, on the House floor: "We all of principles. Compromise is not a capitulation of principle." Bass had been noncommittal when asked if he would support the Ryan plan. Bass: "I voted for Chairman Ryan's plan because it's a great statement of principle. But unfortunately, it is going nowhere because the Senate Democratic leadership won't bring it up for a vote or even a debate" (Ryan, Nashua Telegraph, 4/2).