With reconciliation moving full steam ahead, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) of the finance committee commented, "I have never felt that a budget going through the Congress of the United States is more disconnected from reality than this budget." It truly is disconnected -- the Senate Budget Committee yesterday approved a spending blueprint which would cut $39 billion from mandatory programs over the next five years. Overall the bill would actually produce $71 billion in gross savings, but would put about $32 billion of those savings back into new spending. The legislation will likely be considered on the House floor next week. House Republican leaders are currently still working to put together 218 votes for support for a larger $50 billion plan. Some Republicans, including Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA) have privately expressed frustration to House leaders over the increased spending cut targets. Ways and Means, for example, is now being pressured to cut $8 billion, which is up from $1 billion in the original FY06 budget resolution.