Republican Sen. John Thune isn't a fan:
Senator John Thune today reacted to President Obama’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget proposal, which was delivered to Congress this morning. The President’s budget more than doubles the debt, drives spending to a new record of $3.8 trillion in FY 2011, increases the deficit to a new record of $1.6 trillion in FY 2010, and raises taxes by over $2 trillion through 2020. The proposal would elevate the debt held by the public to $18.6 trillion by 2020, which is 77 percent of our projected Gross Domestic Product.
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“President Obama’s attempt to recast himself as fiscally responsible comes a year late and falls a few trillion dollars short. Since taking office last year, the President and Congressional Democrats have increased discretionary spending by more than 20 percent, which is six times the rate of inflation,” said Thune. “This reckless approach of more borrowing, more spending and raising taxes to expand the growth and reach of government does little to create jobs. The Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats must look beyond government spending as the primary vehicle for job creation and economic growth.
“Future generations of Americans are being asked to pay a very large bill while the majority party refuses to address the real, structural causes of our crippling debt. This budget proposal does nothing to address the root causes of overspending and borrowing; Congress and the President must commit to serious spending restraint before the debt grows beyond our control.”
Senator Thune recently called for a freeze on non-Defense discretionary spending at FY 2008 levels. He has led several attempts to end the Troubled Asset Relief Program as a means of reducing the federal government’s borrowing needs.
The budget proposal also reduces the federal tax deduction for charitable deductions, as did President Obama’s budget proposal last year. Senator Thune’s amendment to the FY 2010 budget to preserve the full deduction was approved in the Senate by a vote of 94-3 last April, but it was stripped out of the final budget bill.
“At a time when many in our country and around the world are struggling, any action that could limit charitable giving should not be undertaken,” added Thune. “I will continue working with my colleagues to preserve the full deduction for charitable giving.”
Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson believes it's a good first step.
This budget is an attempt by the President to put our national economy back on a path toward fiscal restraint. President Obama inherited one of the worst economies since the Great Depression, as well as two wars, a prescription drug plan and tax cuts that hadn’t been paid for. While the spending is still staggering, the goal is to balance job creation with spending reductions to keep the economy on the right track, and get people back to work. But the President’s budget also spoons out some tough medicine with significant cuts to worthy programs.
The President’s budget is the first step in this process – not the last. Congress will also now start their portion of the budgeting process and changes will be made. We must make tough choices about how we spend money during these harsh economic times.
Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin also said the budget includes important reductions, but also trumpeted projects spending money in South Dakota:
Our country faces two critical challenges, and both must be addressed: decreasing the national deficit and economic strength through job creation.
I support the President's budget proposal to freeze spending, and applaud him for taking that step, but believe that we can and must do more to cut spending and bring down the debt. I am pleased that last week, the Senate passed tough new ‘pay-as-you-go’ rules that will require Congress to spend within its means. This has long been a priority of mine and of the Blue Dog Coalition, along with a fiscal commission to recommend changes to exploding growth in entitlement spending. These are both common sense tools that have bipartisan support and they should gain the backing of anyone who’s serious about fiscal responsibility.
The President’s budget released today is a starting point. I will work hard with my colleagues to ensure that the final budget Congress passes includes responsible and targeted investments that will create jobs and spur growth. I’m disappointed that Lewis and Clark Regional Water System received just $2 million, because it is a perfect example of the kind of project that is creating jobs and fostering economic development.
Herseth Sandlin also attached a list of South Dakota projects receiving funding:
Herseth Sandlin noted that in recent years, under administrations of both parties, Lewis and Clark has initially received low funding that has been increased as Congress makes changes to the budget. She will, once again, work to increase this level of funding for Lewis and Clark as a critical part of economic development and water safety in South Dakota. When completed, the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System will provide safe drinking water to over 300,000 people in a roughly 5,000 square mile area including parts of South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota. The project received $56.5 million in Recovery Act funds in 2009.
Herseth Sandlin highlighted several key South Dakota priorities that the President included in his budget:
· $27.5 million for Mni Wiconi Rural Water Supply Project, to provide clean drinking water to Tribal and rural communities in western South Dakota.
· The President’s budget also proposes up to $194.4 million for the National Children’s Study. SDSU in Brookings is one of the seven original NCS Vanguard Centers around the country. By tracking 100,000 children to age 21, the NCS will explore the major causes of childhood illnesses such as premature birth, asthma, obesity, preventable injury, autism, development delay, mental illness, and learning disorders.
· $12.7 million in funding for the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) at Lead to conclude preliminary design activities and for pre-construction planning and related research and development. Additional funding will be needed to keep the project on track.
· $125 billion in proposed funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, a 9.6% increase over funding levels enacted in FY 2010. This request includes funds to improve processing of Post-9/11 G.I. Bill educational benefits and disability compensation claims. In addition, the budget prioritizes improving health care for women veterans and those suffering from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as reducing veteran homelessness. The budget request also includes $54.3 billion in advanced appropriations for VA health care in FY12, helping ensure veterans health care will not be affected by legislative delays in the appropriations process.
· The President’s budget includes an increase of $35 million over FY10 for forest management at the USDA Forest Service. This investment will allow the Black Hills National Forest to boost timber sales, supporting the local economy and at the same time reducing risks from pine beetles and wildfire. Rep. Herseth Sandlin led an effort in the House urging the Administration to bolster funding in the coming year.
· The budget request included $200 million for the next generation bomber program ($1.7 billion in FY11-15) as well as a strong statement in the Quadrennial Defense Review that the U.S. military needs to expand its long-range strike capabilities, including building long-range surveillance and strike aircraft as part of a comprehensive plan to modernize the bomber force. Ellsworth Air Force Base is very well positioned to receive an additional mission for the next generation bomber.
· For the first time, the President’s budget includes $10 million in funding for Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place. In the past, Rep. Herseth Sandlin has requested and secured funding for this project which aims to improve economic conditions facing the tribes of the Great Sioux Nation, facilitate the development of tribal justice systems, and promote reconciliation between Indians and non-Indians.
Obama's proposed his budget. Now it's in Congress' hands.
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