Zach ToombsOn the Sunday shows this week, Paul Ryan responds to conservative criticism of his bipartisan budget deal.
RYAN: "These groups came out in opposition to our budget agreement before we reached a budget agreement."
And America's chief diplomat weighs in on North Korea's latest crackdown.
JOHN KERRY: "There have been a significant number of executions taking place over the last months."
For National Journal, I'm Zach Toombs. The House has given its approval to a budget deal reached by leaders from both parties. But it didn't have the support of several conservative think tanks and lawmakers.
And those groups have Republican Speaker John Boehner increasingly upset.
BOEHNER: "Are you kidding me?" (Via MSNBC)
RYAN: "I was frustrated, too. But I think these are very important elements of our conservative family. I would prefer to keep those conversations within the family." (Via NBC)
The deal is a welcome change for a Congress that has often shunned compromise. Still, a former Congressional Budget Office director says bigger steps are needed to spur economic growth. (Via YouTube / chuckboombuck)
DOUGLAS HOLTZ-EAKIN: "I would hope that we get the kinds of permanent reforms we need: We get the tax reforms, the immigration reforms, the entitlement reforms. … Right now we're growing at about 2 percent. A little bit faster, maybe. And that's not fast enough." (Via CNN)
And days after another school shooting in Colorado, pro-gun lobbyists have resurrected an argument they made after Sandy Hook: that the answer is more guns, not less. (Via WCNC)
CHRIS WALLACE: "You want to see the legislation that's out there rolled back?"
LARRY PRATT: "That is correct, Chris. The legislation that is on the books is lethal, it is killing people. All of these gun-free zones are murder magnets." (Via Fox News)
Turning abroad, Kim Jong-un's recent execution of his uncle has made waves internationally. ABC "This Week" got U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's take. (Via Sky News)
KERRY: "Well, it tells us a lot about, first of all, how ruthless and reckless he is, and it also tells us about how insecure he is. … It tells us a significant amount about the instability internally in the regime with the numbers of executions."
