Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Risch issued this statement on President Barack Obama’s budget proposal released earlier today.

“House Republicans and Senate Democrats, after four years, have put forth their budget proposals.  We now receive the president’s proposal two months late and it is disappointing to see it increases spending and our national debt.

“The bottom line of his proposal is this: it increases our debt from $16.7 trillion today to $25.4 trillion in 2023.  The president claims it “doesn’t add one dime” to the deficit.  He is wrong.

“I do give him credit for finally acknowledging the need for incremental entitlement reform.  It is past due.  But to offer that in exchange for higher taxes is perplexing. Reform is needed to ensure the stability of these programs for the long term.  It is the right thing to do and we must start now.

“Just like families and businesses, the federal government must have a budget that is not financially ruinous and where debt is manageable.  Fortunately, I believe the president’s budget will not become law, since it only grows government and hurts the economy.”

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