So what, exactly, got reduced by $37.8 billion?

[Little-Acorn]

I keep hearing that a budget deal got agreed upon, with a reduction of $37.8 billion.

Does that mean that the govt will spend $37.8 billion less for this period, than it did for the equivalent period last year?

Or does it mean that instead of increasing spending by $1,500 billion (or whatever), they are going to increase spending by $1,500-$37.8 billion... that is, they will increase spending by "only" $1,462.2 billion?

[OldMercsRule]

I keep hearing that a budget deal got agreed upon, with a reduction of $37.8 billion.

Does that mean that the govt will spend $37.8 billion less for this period, than it did for the equivalent period last year?

Or does it mean that instead of increasing spending by $1,500 billion (or whatever), they are going to increase spending by $1,500-$37.8 billion... that is, they will increase spending by "only" $1,462.2 billion?

The latter.... (with made up numbers). JR

[Little-Acorn]

This "cut" is like driving in your car toward a brick wall at 125mph, while you and your wife are arguing whether you should reduce your speed to 123 or 122.

Or, if it was actually a reduction in the regular yearly increase... then it's like arguing whether you should increase your speed another 10mph as you usually do, or increase it only by 9mph this time.