41.   Speaking before the upper house budget committee, Matsushita also said the central bank will keep interest rates at current historic low levels to support the economy.

42.   Staff members from the congressional budget committees helped them with questions that arised.

43.   Sununu is a House leadership wannabe, far more comfortable down here on the budget committee than on the stump.

44.   Speaking in front of an upper house budget committee yesterday, Finance Minister Wataru Kubo indicated his support for higher Japanese interest rates.

45.   The Assembly budget committee, controlled by Democrats, then approved the measure within minutes.

46.   The budget committee is expected to vote on the document tomorrow.

47.   The budget committee of the State Duma, or lower house of Parliament, will discuss the measure Monday.

48.   The budget committees are wrangling over spending priorities.

49.   The budget committees may still decide to recommend how to divvy up the Medicare savings among health providers.

50.   The budget is expected to be considered by the budget committees in the Senate and the Assembly on Thursday.