Budget Resolution: Budget Committees This Week --

• House Budget: Complete, all-day mark-up of Chair Rep. John Spratt's (D-SC) FY09 budget resolution draft is expected for Wednesday, March 5
• Senate Budget: Opening statements on budget resolution on Wednesday, March 5; consideration of Sen. Kent Conrad's (D-ND) Chairman's Mark is to begin late Wednesday or early Thursday

NB: the final FY09 budget action in Congress is likely to be at the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Senate Finance committees, with jurisdiction over healthcare and tax policy. Economy: Jan. Spending Flat in Real Terms -- Consumer spending in real, inflation-adjusted terms was flat in January for the second month in a row as inflation rose. .. Personal saving as a percentage of after-tax income remained negative at minus 0.1 percent, same as in December. Personal income and savings: Jan. Data. SS Disability Backlog: The Story behind the Numbers -- The first wave of 80 million baby boomers has applied for Social Security... Boomers are likely to seek disability benefits in greater numbers than did previous generations. See " target="_blank">Story.