entitlements, savings versus additional spending i think has to be done with the understanding that at the end of the day if we don't make an agreement, the number is going to be $967 billion in discretionary spending. >> let me pick up on that with you, senator durbin. because as senator blunt suggested, republicans have some leverage here. if nothing happens the sequester spending cuts kick in on january 15 and discretionary spending is cut by $21 billion. paul ryan, the house budget chair, is proposing a kind of trade in which they would agree to some short-term spending increases, which you guys want, in return for some long-term spending cuts through entitlement reform. does that sound reasonable? >> well, i can tell you this. if this is the bargain that the republicans are now pushing for that we have to cut medicare to avoid cuts in the department of defense, let us step back and take a look at this. paul ryan couldn't pass his budget in the house of representatives. the republican majority wouldn't vote for it unless