WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House and tea party-backed
Republicans in Congress are facing a gaping disagreement over how
much to cut from domestic programs over the next six months as a
down payment on out-of-control budget deficits.

Only two weeks remain before a stopgap funding bill runs out,
but neither party seems to be in a hurry to move off of its
position in any significant way - at least not yet.

In opening talks Thursday, Vice President Joe Biden offered
Republicans a package of mostly recycled budget cuts totaling $6.5
billion in response to GOP-backed legislation slashing domestic
agency budgets back to levels in place before President Barack
Obama took office.

The White House cuts fell well short of what resurgent
Republicans are demanding.