Paul Ryan doubles down: 'We have to address' entitlement reform next year

For conservatives, tax cuts are only part of the goal. This week's tax bill is a nice step in the right direction, but the bigger whale has always been entitlement reform. A couple of weeks ago, Paul Ryan promised that the GOP's 2018 focus would fall upon this key issue. Then, we heard rumors that having accomplished tax reform, Ryan was going to walk away from his role as Speaker, and possibly from Congress entirely. Now, Ryan is doubling down on his entitlement reform plan for 2018. He again says it will be the GOP's focus for next year, and it sure sounds like he's ready to lead the charge. He made his comments today on CBS This Morning:

House Speaker Paul Ryan says Congress needs to focus next year on spending. @CBSThisMorning spoke with him and asked about cutting entitlement benefits: pic.twitter.com/MEPK4M2d9a

— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 20, 2017

That sounds great, and I don't want to be a naysayer, but I'm not sure what we should really expect here. If tax cuts - which are almost universally popular among Republicans - are just going to squeak through Congress, is there any appetite for something much more politically divisive? I'd love to believe it will happen but, if something that gives tax relief to 80% of Americans can barely get passed, I have a tough time believing we're going to see anyone who's genuinely eager to tackle political third rails. For all our sakes, I hope I'm wrong.

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