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            Republicans Call President's Budget 'Campaign Document'

   by Carolyn Presutti

   Republicans in the U.S. Congress Wednesday criticized President Obama's
   2015 budget proposal.  The president's spending plan raises taxes on
   the wealthy, creates new tax breaks for the poor and middle class, and
   increases spending on domestic programs - likely setting up a year-long
   battle with congressional Republicans.
   The president sent his $3.9 trillion budget proposal to Congress
   Tuesday.  On Wednesday, Republicans responded.
   House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan called the 2015 budget  "a
   campaign document."
   "Spending is out of control. We have to take back the reins. We have to
   address this before it gets too late," said Ryan.
   The budget, which requires congressional approval, includes $56 billion
   in new spending for military and domestic programs.  The proposal
   reflects the president's goal of reducing income inequality -- the gap
   between the wealthiest and poorest in America.  It would eliminate tax
   cuts on the wealthy to pay for tax credits for childless workers and
   families with young children.
   Sylvia Burwell is the director of the government office that develops
   the budget.  She spoke to the House Budget Committee.
   "It includes fully paid for investments in infrastructure, job
   training, preschool and pro-work tax cuts.  At the same, it reduces
   deficits and strengthens our long-term fiscal outlook through
   additional health care reforms, tax reforms and by fixing our broken
   immigration system," said Burwell.
   Again, Chairman Ryan:
   "More tax increases, more spending and more debt aren't going to get
   people back to work.  They're not going to increase take home pay.
   They're not going to grow the economy," he said.
   Republicans will counter with a budget that will include welfare
   reform, an alternative to the president's health care reform, and the
   party's own proposals to create upward mobility for the working class.
   Republican Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers
   "As Republicans we continue to be focused on those policies that are
   going to help people get jobs and also those policies that are going to
   help address the middle class squeeze - the struggle that people are
   facing in their day to day lives," said Rodgers.
   The budget battle is a forerunner of the November election.
   Republicans hope to hold on to the House of Representatives while
   Democrats are protecting a narrow majority in the Senate.  Democrats
   are expected to point to what the president calls "choices" and
   "values" involving income inequality while Republicans are expected to
   push for lower spending and support for the middle class.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/republicans-call-presidents-budget-ca
   mpaign-document/1865263.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/republicans-call-presidents-budget-campaign-document/1865263.html