21.   But Lindsey said that with government spending accounting for close to a quarter of economic activity in the United States, it was wrong to ignore the budget debate.

22.   But in Congress, where influence is measured in votes, the groups have been bit players in the budget debate.

23.   But Republicans do want to use the budget debate to highlight the philosophical differences between themselves and the Democrats.

24.   But social issues figure into any budget debate.

25.   But neither side in the budget debate is eager to embrace the middle-ground alternative.

26.   But the three representatives from Central Texas will take a backseat in the budget debate.

27.   But there were few signs that congressional Republicans took his proposal as a serious contender in the budget debate.

28.   But those visiting the Capitol were able to wander the marble halls and listen to the budget debate as usual.

29.   By April, the next Congress will be in the thick of a new budget debate.

30.   Clinton is counting on such initiatives to woo back some of the support he lost in the budget debate.