

Rep. Mike Pence (R., Ind.) said he would accept a government shutdown. Zuma press

House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) met for an hour with Republican freshmen, among the most outspoken supporters of spending cuts. GOP leaders emphasized that bigger spending fights are ahead for the 2012 budget and that the Republicans don't have complete power in Washington.

"We control one-half of one-third of the government," Mr. Boehner told reporters. "We can't impose our will on the Senate."

Mr. Boehner spoke as House and Senate negotiators continued to work toward an agreement that, according to Democrats, would cut about $33 billion in this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Republicans haven't confirmed that figure, and negotiations could change the outlines of the deal.

Rainy Day for a Tea Party

Activists dressed as Captain America and a patriot were among those attending the 'Continuing Revolution' rally in Washington, D.C., Thursday. Reuters

Congress must pass a spending measure by April 8 or risk a government shutdown.

Several conservative lawmakers suggested they would hesitate to support a measure that cuts significantly less than the $61 billion the House approved earlier this year. "There's going to be a lot of salesmanship that takes place," said Rep. Jack Kingston (R., Ga.).

Rep. Joe Walsh (R., Ill.) said he would be "disappointed" in a $33 billion figure. "We want to be as bold as we can," he said.

At a meeting Thursday of the Republican Study Committee, a conservative group that includes more than half of all GOP House members, most members supported sticking with $61 billion in cuts, said Rep. Jim Jordan (R., Ohio), chairman of the group.

But few lawmakers flatly ruled out voting for a compromise measure.

GOP leaders appeared to make some headway with their argument that even the smaller cut would be a major win, especially since the fiscal year is already half over, and bigger fights are ahead. Republicans plan to unveil a 2012 budget proposal next week that is expected to include deep spending cuts and proposals for overhauling Medicare and Medicaid.

While Republicans faced the prospect of an agreement that cut less than they wanted, Democrats grappled with the notion of cutting more. Sen. Patty Murray (D., Wash.), the fourth-ranking Senate Democrat, said she was concerned that the administration gave away too much too quickly.

"It's tough," Ms. Murray said of the magnitude of cuts Democrats are preparing to accept. "It's really hard, and not without a whole lot of trepidation."

In his meeting with GOP freshmen, Mr. Boehner said he had read that they had painted him into a corner by demanding big cuts.

House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) spokes at a news conference in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. Getty Images

"I applaud you guys for painting me into this corner. That's where I want to be," Mr. Boehner said, according to Jim Rep. Lankford (R., Okla.).

Both political parties are maneuvering publicly as well as privately. Democrats argue that voters want politicians to work out their disagreements, so they are telegraphing that they are open to a deal.

Several Republicans said their vote would depend on how many "riders"—policy directives not directly related to spending—remain in the bill.

These include Republican-backed provisions to block Environmental Protection Agency climate change rules, de-fund President Barack Obama's health law, and prevent money from going to Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R., S.C.) said he wouldn't vote for the bill, regardless of how much it cut, "if it does not contain the de-funding" of the Democratic-backed health-care law.

Former House speaker and likely 2012 presidential candidate Newt Gingrich urged a private gathering of GOP freshmen to push for a higher level of cuts than $33 billion, and to blame Senate Democrats if they're forced to settle for anything less.

Mr. Gingrich said he told lawmakers that "their goal should be to avoid a [government] shutdown, while not giving in on their core principles."

The group Tea Party Patriots held a rally outside the Capitol to urge lawmakers to cut as much as possible, which drew fewer than 200 participants.

Rep. Mike Pence (R., Ind.) suggested he'd accept a government shutdown to push for big cuts. "I say shut it down," Mr. Pence said, as the crowd chanted, "Cut it or shut it."

For Mr. Boehner, the question is not only whether the House ultimately ratifies a deal he helped negotiate. It's also how many votes of conservative Democrats he will need.

—Neil King Jr., Danny Yadron and Laura Meckler contributed to this article.

Write to Naftali Bendavid at naftali.bendavid@wsj.com