Senate Republican Leaders React to Obama's Proposed Budget

Copies of President Obama's 2012 budget are delivered to the Senate Budget Committee, Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The Senate Republican leadership reacted Monday to President Obama's proposed budget.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

"The President talks like someone who recognizes that spending is out of control, but so far it hasn't been matched with action. And his only solution to one of the most significant problems facing our country is to lock in spending at levels we all know are completely unsustainable. Americans don't want a spending freeze at unsustainable levels. They want cuts, dramatic cuts. And I hope the President will work with us on achieving them soon."

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.

"I still don't see a sense of urgency from the president about the massive federal debt. His budget calls for too much government borrowing - even though the debt is already at a level that makes it harder to create private-sector jobs."

Sen John Thune, R-S.D.

"After receiving the president's budget today, we now know that the talk about spending cuts in his State of the Union address last month was just that: talk. President Obama's budget spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much. While Republicans in Congress continue to show their commitment to reducing our nation's staggering debt and deficit through meaningful spending cuts and budget reforms, the president continues to advocate for more spending.

"For the sake of future generations, we cannot continue to ignore the looming fiscal crisis occurring in our nation. Instead of increasing spending, the president needs to work with Congress to find meaningful, bipartisan solutions to reduce our dangerous national debt, and ultimately grow our economy."

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas

"President Obama's timid budget proposal represents a missed opportunity to lead. It increases the national debt by nearly $11 trillion, raises taxes, and ignores the recommendations of the President's own bipartisan debt commission. Republicans are ready to show we are serious about making these tough choices and getting the boot off the neck of American entrepreneurs and small businesses."

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo.

"What will it take to get the President's attention about the fiscal crisis facing our nation? Despite the American people's clear demand for less spending, the President has drafted another budget that throws more fuel onto an already raging fiscal fire. Instead of choosing to cut spending, he has chosen to spend, tax and borrow again. Leadership requires difficult decisions - not just tough talk. I will continue to fight for less spending and more fiscal restraint in Washington."