Differing federal budget proposals

Obama proposal

The plan: President Obama's 2014 budget proposes spending cuts and revenue increases that would result in $1.8 trillion in deficit reductions over 10 years. That figure would replace $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts that are poised to take effect over the next 10 years, thus delivering a net increase in deficit reduction of $600 billion.

Deficit reduction: Counting reductions and higher taxes that Congress and Obama have approved since 2011, the 2014 budget would contribute to $4.3 trillion in total deficit reduction by 2023.

Entitlements: A key feature is a revised inflation adjustment called "chained CPI." This new formula would effectively curb annual increases in a broad swath of government programs but would have its biggest impact on Social Security. His proposed changes would mean a cut in Social Security benefits of nearly $1,000 a year for an average 85-year-old, smaller cuts for younger retirees.

Tax revenue: It calls for additional tax revenue, primarily by placing a 28 percent cap on deductions and other tax exclusions. That plan would affect wealthy taxpayers as would a new administration proposal to place limits on tax-preferred retirement accounts for millionaires and billionaires.
Senate Democrats

The plan: Senate Democrats propose raising nearly $1 trillion in new taxes and cutting $1 trillion from projected spending. The plan would add $5.2 trillion to the federal deficit over 10 years, about $1.8 trillion less than currently projected.

Deficit reduction: Senate budget chief Patty Murray estimates it would reduce deficits by a total of $1.85 trillion over 10 years, putting the deficit at $566 billion in 2023. About $960 billion of that is intended to replace the automatic cuts that went into effect on March 1.

Taxes: It would increase revenue by $975 billion through eliminating and curtailing tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations. The plan would end aggressive offshore tax planning, special depreciation rules for corporate jet owners and favorable tax rates for hedge fund managers.
House Republicans

The plan: House Republicans would slice $4.6 trillion over 10 years from projected spending, largely by repealing President Obama's health-care law and cutting Medicaid.

Deficit reduction: Aided by additional revenue from the year-end fiscal cliff deal, the plan — written by Rep. Paul Ryan — would balance the budget, producing a small surplus by 2023.

Entitlements: The centerpiece of the GOP plan would be to cut Medicaid $757 billion by converting the program into a voucher-like program for the next generation of seniors, those younger than 55. When they become eligible, at age 65, those seniors will be offered a voucher that can be applied either to the purchase of private health insurance or toward the cost of Medicare, though the voucher may not cover all the costs of the policy. It exempts the Pentagon and Social Security beneficiaries from cuts.