WASHINGTON (AP) — A budget-cutting bill awaiting President George W. Bush’s signature may only make a small dent in the United States’ huge deficit, but he is expected to propose more cuts in his 2007 plan.

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the House sent Bush a major bill cutting benefit programs like Medicaid and student loan subsidies. The president is ready to sign the bill and move on to next year’s budget cycle.

The House passed the bill 216-214 on Wednesday, mostly along party lines. It was Congress’ first attempt in eight years to slow the growth of benefit programs like Medicaid and student loan subsidies.

Democrats attacked the measure as an assault on college students and Medicaid patients and said powerful Washington lobbyists had too much influence on it.

“As the Republican budget ax fell on the poor and students, powerful special interests were cutting special deals in the conference committee,” said Representative Steny Hoyer, who is among the leading Democrats.