The conference committee will probably not begin serious work until early next year, the Republicans said.

Republicans said the bill was needed to cut public spending.

Many Republicans, on the other hand, say the market would work better if government got out of the way.

Republicans say the changes are needed to control the cost of the program.

But at this point, Republicans say they have only 48.

Republicans said the Democrats were doing just as much, if not more.

Republicans said they wanted to build on the success of the 1996 law.

The Republicans have not said how they would pay for their plan.

What would you and the Republicans have said about that?

But seven years is what the Republicans say they must have - or else.