Whoever coined the term “budget reconciliation,” in crafting the 1974 Budget Reform Act, deserves an ingenious award for a brilliant paradox that accurately depicts the current process in Congress.

The paradox of budget reconciliation is that budgets are contentious, fluid and divisive moving targets, whereas "reconciliation" means coming together on a mutually agreeable, consensus outcome. The two terms collide when fiscal reality, which has chased the tail of all members’ worthy goals and projects catches up and forces them to limit their aspirations.

In watching the current wrangling between the House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats, and, yes, House Republicans and House Republicans, I couldn’t help but be reminded of David Stockman’s tenure as President Reagan’s budget director from 1981 to 1985. As told in his 1986 memoir, “The Triumph of Politics: The Inside Story of the Reagan Revolution,” the parallels with present day budget battles are striking.

The goals of Reagan and his Republican cohorts in Congress, and between President Trump and his allies on the Hill, are uncannily similar. Both presidents wanted to drastically reduce government spending, enact big tax cuts and increase........

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