WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s not just longstanding battles over taxes and curbing mandatory spending that are obstacles to a year-end pact on the budget. Another problem is a perception among some lawmakers that the automatic spending cuts known as sequestration haven’t been as harsh as advertised.

Indeed, the first year of the automatic cuts didn’t live up to the dire predictions from the Obama administration and others who warned of sweeping furloughs and big disruptions of government services.

Recommended Stories

Italy and Spain end border crisis sparked by Ceuta invasion, but approximately 15,000 migrants still demand asylum

Darline Graham did not discuss split over Russia sanctions waiver during Trump visit

Trump defends Vivek Ramaswamy ad featuring opponent’s estranged mother