Mike Pence on Boehner Plan: "Important First Step Toward Fiscal Discipline and Reform"

The Hill reports:

Tea Party favorite Mike Pence (R-Ind.) on Wednesday called on his House colleagues to consider the budget plan put forward by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), which has drawn criticism from some Republicans as a plan that does not cut spending nearly enough.

"I'm still studying Speaker Boehner's proposal, but there is much that recommends it," Pence said on the House floor.

Pence said he has long championed a plan to tie debt ceiling increases to short and long-term spending cuts, and said Boehner's "two-step" proposal meets that standard. Boehner's plan aims to cut $1.2 trillion over ten years right away, and require Congress to take steps cutting another $1.8 trillion by the end of this year.

"All of this commends the Boehner plan as an important first step toward fiscal discipline and reform," Pence said.

It seems that the House Republican conference meeting this morning was a key moment in which conservatives rallied behind their speaker. Andrew Stiles reports that some "no" votes are switching to "yes." Arizona congressman Jeff Flake switched from a firm "no" to undecided, saying the Boehner plan "could be the last train leaving the station." 

"I believe Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are going to be surprised tomorrow night," Congressman Allen West told Chad Pergram of Fox News. Things are looking good for the passage of Boehner's bill. Then it will be Harry Reid's move.