GOP Plan: Let White House Agenda Starve

Amid whispers, and sometimes shouts, that Republicans are in line to take back at least the House this fall, criticism has emerged that GOP leaders lack a cohesive plan to unite the party around a battle plan. But today, one is emerging.

As the Wall Street Journal explains, "House Republicans are planning to chip away at the White House's legislative agenda -- in particular the health-care law -- by depriving the programs of cash."

Practically, that means using appropriations bills to starve the White House agenda, mainly "the administration's overhaul of health care and financial regulations and its plans to regulate greenhouse gases." According to the article, GOP leaders also hope to cut spending, return unspent stimulus money, and cut taxes.

"We need to establish the proverbial lines in the sand and show we are serious about limited government," said Wisconsin's Rep. Paul Ryan, a popular "young gun" House leader.

The White House, however, is hoping that people already addicted to government programs, specifically health care, will make Republicans pay. "What the Republicans will be faced with is really taking those benefits away," said Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of Health and Human Services. "They will have to face their constituents who have their children enrolled on a family plan and say, 'That can't happen anymore.'"

Come November, Republicans just might have to have those tough conversations -- and they seem willing to, for now.