The Senate is expected to vote on the deficit package later today.

The deficit package must now go to conference with the House, which last week approved its own $11 billion measure to cut the deficit.

And I can still spot a phony deficit package a mile away.

The chance to sell a tough deficit package slipped away.

And other deals will almost certainly emerge as negotiators look for ways to pick up the votes needed for approval of the deficit package.

"I'm sure the President is not going to be willing to submit to all that extraneous material in the deficit package just to get capital gains."

Before passing the deficit package, the House rejected two alternative approaches to child care benefits that would have relied primarily on tax credits to assist parents.

In the next election, Republicans lost our Senate majority, and more than a few pundits believed the vote on the deficit package was a contributing factor.

Republicans have spent the last two days scrambling for the 60 votes they need to attach a capital gains tax cut proposal to the deficit package.

Provision on Onions Other material in the huge deficit package may prove easier to jettison.