(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray
(D-WA) released the following statement on the Obama Administration’s proposed
budget for Fiscal Year 2012.
“No one should be surprised that the President has put
forth a budget that includes difficult choices about our future. Just
like families across Washington state have found ways to tighten their belts, the federal government
must take meaningful steps to get spending under control and reduce our debt
and deficit. These steps are going to mean shared sacrifice, compromise, and
more often than not, difficult cut backs.
“But as families across Washington state also know,
cutting back doesn’t mean cutting blindly. Reining in your family’s budget
means making tough decisions and weighing what priorities come first. The same
is true for the federal budget.
“Right now, no priority is more important than making
smart investments in those things that are most critical to creating jobs and our economic strength in the
future. That’s why it is more important than ever that we invest here at home – in our workers, our
children’s education, and innovative research and development. The President’s
budget makes many of those critical investments.
“However, I
am concerned that the President’s budget looks for deficit reduction measures
primarily in only one small area of the budget – non-defense discretionary
spending. If we are going to make real progress toward fiscal responsibility we
have to have a serious conversation that goes beyond this limited area.
“In
Washington state, we have the workers, companies, know-how, and drive to lead
our country’s economic recovery. That’s why I will be carefully reviewing this
budget to ensure our priorities are protected and new opportunities are
identified. As we move forward, I am committed to fighting for
Washington state priorities like education, health care, getting workers back
on the job and protecting our veterans.
“Budget
cuts must not only be tough, they must also be responsible if we are going to
move our country forward. In reviewing this budget and all spending proposals,
we need to remember that our goal is not only to ensure that we aren’t leaving
our children and grandchildren in debt, but also that we aren’t leaving them
infrastructure, schools, and an economic system that won’t allow them to
compete. I look forward to working towards a budget in the Senate that balances
these critical priorities.”
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