It's gut-check time for the Republicans on the budget

Townhall.com issues the Republican party a major warning:

Congress hasn’t reopened a budget act by amendment since 1977. And were it not for the leadership of Mike Pence (R-IN) and the Republican Study Committee, that streak would have continued through 2005.

Like thieves in the night, Congress avoids returning to the scene of the crime. Because budget acts are composed of mandatory spending, Congress is especially reluctant to reopen the books to find savings. But thanks to a recent uprising among fiscally conservative House Republicans, Congress will have to do just that this year.

Much is made publicly about pork barrel discretionary spending, but it is the mandatory (e.g. Medicare) spending that most jeopardizes America’s fiscal health. By reopening the budget act, Congress is forced to change the government spending baseline, leading to huge savings over several years rather than eliminating a single highway project in Tiny Town, Oklahoma.

What's the difference between big spending Democrats and Republicans? Not much.