Defense Secretary Robert Gates talks with troops during a visit April 7 at Camp Victory in Baghdad. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption
The Federal Budget Crunch The debate over the federal budget and how much to cut has pitted the Republicans and the Democrats against each other.
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The Federal Budget Crunch
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during a public meeting Tuesday at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Wis. His plan to fundamentally restructure Medicare and cut social safety net programs like food stamps and Medicaid has at times been a tough sell as its supporters head home and meet with their constituents. Jeffrey Phelps/AP hide caption
GOP Budget Architect Heads Home To Mixed Reviews
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Earlier this year, Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) helped introduce the bipartisan CAP Act, which would aim to cut federal spending by $7.6 trillion over 10 years. Mark Humphrey/AP hide caption
President Obama at today's town hall in Annandale, Va. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) takes questions in reaction to President Obama's speech on a federal spending plan at the Capitol on Wednesday. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan says the 2012 plan is about protecting Medicare. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption
Tax receipt Whitehouse.gov hide caption
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, pictured with fellow Republicans at a news conference, said this week that "the biggest threat to Medicare is the status quo and the people defending it." Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption
President Obama outlined a mix of spending cuts and tax hikes to reduce the deficit Wednesday at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Charles Dharapak/AP hide caption