The Nation - News from Dec. 3, 1985

House and Senate leaders said they are close to agreement on balanced budget legislation, but White House Chief of Staff Donald T. Regan said the Administration does not want “our defense posture crippled” by defense cuts. Despite general backing for the “Gramm-Rudman” balanced budget measure, Regan told reporters the Administration is concerned about cutting military spending, especially early next year during arms control negotiations with the Soviets. The balanced budget legislation, attached to a bill to raise the national debt ceiling to a record $2 trillion, is currently in conference between the House and Senate.