Sen. Udall on President Obama’s FY 2011 Budget Proposal

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February 1, 2010 -- Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mark Udall released the following statement in response to President Obama's proposed budget:

"Coloradans know that tough economic times call for tough choices - families and small businesses are forced to make them every day. It's time for the federal government to do the same. After reviewing President Obama's budget blueprint, I'm encouraged to see proposals to freeze or cut spending on a swath of government programs over the next three fiscal years that will enable us to focus on the biggest priorities. It's something I've been calling on the White House and Congress to do for some time, and the President's budget is a welcome step in the right direction.

"In particular, I commend the President for working to create jobs, expand investments in clean energy, make everyday necessities like child care and college tuition more affordable, help small businesses expand, and keep our nation safe and secure. I share those goals, and I look forward to working with the President to grow the economy and ensure that everyone who wants to work can do so.

"The president has a tough job. He's trying to keep the economy from stalling and still set us on a path toward deficit reduction. His budget tries to thread a very difficult needle, and for the most part, I share his priorities. But I remain concerned about the projected level of deficit spending. Without changes, this budget would add $8.5 trillion to the debt over the next decade - a disturbing trend that President Obama inherited, but still unacceptably high. Deficit spending of that kind of magnitude is unsustainable. Part of getting our economy going and creating jobs must include getting the federal government's fiscal house in order. The President has promised a bipartisan task force to comb through the budget and recommend changes that would reduce the debt. I fought for that task force, and I will fight to ensure its recommendations are voted on by Congress.

"Of course, at the end of the day, the reality is that while the President proposes budgets, Congress passes them - and more importantly it is up to Congress to write and pass spending bills. Cutting spending is never easy, and some of the President's proposed cuts will be unpopular - I don't agree with all of them, either. But we were elected to govern, not to wage partisan battles. If ever there were a time to put aside differences and work together, it is now. I urge my colleagues to come together to pass a responsible budget, and make the difficult economic decisions that will help get our economy back on track."

Source: Senator Mark Udall