71.   Those economic assumptions are the underpinnings of the estimates about when the budget will finally be in balance.

72.   Those issues remain stalled in a dispute over what economic assumptions to use in calculating a budget.

73.   Until now Republicans have insisted on using the more conservative economic assumptions of the Congressional Budget Office.

74.   When President Clinton meets Central American and Caribbean leaders later this week, he will find that some basic economic assumptions have changed.

75.   Who knows which of competing economic assumptions are accurate?

76.   It would have to use Congressional Budget Office economic assumptions requiring deeper spending cuts than White House forecasts.

77.   However, the plan does bring the federal budget into balance within seven years using the economic assumptions prepared by the Congressional Budget Office -- a key Republican demand.

78.   Another major sticking point is the set of economic assumptions to be used.

79.   Clinton presented a plan on Saturday night that will balance the US budget in seven years, using economic assumptions Republicans have insisted on.

80.   The White House will also release projections of the budget using its own economic assumptions that will show a substantial surplus in seven years, Stiglitz said.