Good morning … another week, another budget deadline

Republicans over the weekend hinted they would release a 2012 spending plan that seeks to cut $4 trillion over the next 10 years, including dramatic changes to Medicare.

But in the meantime, Congress this week will find itself saddled with the grim realities of trying to reach agreement on a fiscal 2011 budget. Congress faces almost immediate pressure to reach a deal, since House Republicans have pledged to make public any bill it votes on for three days.

This means, for example, that if a deal can be reached and a bill made public by Wednesday, a House vote on Friday is possible.

Democrats continue to indicate that they could support $33 billion in cuts from fiscal 2010 levels, but House Republicans have yet to say they can support that number, which is about half of the $61 billion they proposed to cut by passing H.R. 1.

The House on Monday will attempt to make its case for smaller government in a more narrow way, by taking up H.R. 1246, which would reduce Defense Department printing costs by 10 percent. This bill will be taken up under a suspension of House rules, and a vote is expected around 6:30 p.m.

The Senate meets at 2 p.m., and is expected to hold a vote on a judicial nominee in the evening.