06.13.11

Sessions Calls For Action As Deficit Projection Worsens

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, responded tonight to President Obama’s State of the Union address and the president’s plan to maintain increased levels of discretionary spending:

“Massive federal spending has placed our nation on an unsustainable path. And yet tonight the President pledged to continue down this perilous road for at least five more years.

Instead of deficit reduction, President Obama has put a forward a plan for deficit preservation. Last year, he offered the same „freeze? that would maintain increased spending levels and produce an estimated $10 trillion in deficits by the end of the decade.

We need leadership and vision from the President. But tonight we saw timidity and denial. He did not rise to the moment, or to the challenges we face. It was far short of what the situation demands.

Meaningfully reducing the size of our government and our deficit may not be easy, but it is the only responsible course – and the only one that leads to lasting prosperity and opportunity.”

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