Cantor says House GOP will start focusing on mandatory spending in March

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said on Thursday that House Republicans will begin to focus on mandatory spending this month, not just the discretionary spending that was the focus on H.R. 1 in February.

"It's time we turn our attention also to the mandatory side of government spending," Cantor said. "I expect further debate on mandatory spending throughout the month of March."

"You can expect our budget will approach the issue of entitlements, and we feel it very necessary to begin this discussion," he added.

Cantor's comments came during a colloquy with House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). In that discussion, he said Republicans are still waiting for a Senate position on spending, and that the GOP would be forced to keep passing short-term budget extensions until the Senate develops a position on spending cuts and begins negotiating with the House.