Politics

Democrats call for a ‘balanced approach’ but their budget ‘never balances,’ says Rep. Walberg [VIDEO]

Nicholas Ballasy Senior Video Reporter
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In a House floor speech, Republican Michigan Rep. Tim Walberg criticized Senate Democrats for wanting a “balanced approach” to deficit reduction while offering a plan that “never balances” the federal budget.

“The best plan Senate Democrats can come with continues to spend more money than we take in. They call for a balanced approach, and yet their budget never balances and includes $1.5 trillion in new taxes. At least Senate Democrats have finally come around to offering a plan after spending the last four years on the sidelines. The president has yet to submit his budget to Congress, already six weeks behind his legal deadline,” said Walberg, a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform, on Tuesday.

The House Republican budget, crafted by Republican Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, balances the federal budget in 10 years.

“The Senate asked for higher taxes to fund higher spending to finance ever-growing government. My constituents are tired of the cavalier and unserious approach that has become all too common in Washington. I’m pleased that the House Republican majority continues to take its responsibility seriously and produce budgets which balance,” said Walberg.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the Senate budget would raise revenue by closing tax “loopholes” for “the wealthiest Americans” to pay for new “investments.”

“This week the Senate will pass a budget — crafted by the senior Senator from Washington, Budget Chairman Patty Murray — that fully replaces the harmful sequester cuts with balanced, responsible deficit reduction. The policies outlined in our budget will save hundreds of thousands of jobs, and safeguard communities by keeping police, air traffic controllers and meat inspectors on the job. First we must avoid self-inflicted wounds then we can build on the successes of the last 36 months,” Reid said on the Senate floor Tuesday.

“The Senate budget will continue that progress by creating new jobs repairing crumbling roads and bridges, and training workers for high-skill jobs. These investments are fully paid for by eliminating almost $1 trillion worth of loopholes that benefit the wealthiest Americans and the most profitable corporations.”

Reid said their budget also includes “nearly $1 trillion in responsible spending cuts across the federal budget but meaningful deficit reduction requires shared sacrifice, including contributions from the wealthiest among us.”

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Nicholas Ballasy