COCHRAN STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT’S FY2012 BUDGET REQUEST

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the FY2012 Budget submitted to Congress by President Obama.

“Over the coming months, there will be much critical evaluation of the President’s specific spending priorities and tax recommendations.  My first impression, however, is that this budget does not to take the bold steps required to limit spending and cut the federal debt to an appropriate level.

“I will work with my colleagues to write a FY2012 budget resolution that outlines responsible and meaningful cutbacks in federal spending.  Our immediate objective should be to resolve outstanding FY2011 appropriations issues so that spending reductions can be made in an orderly fashion.  This would also allow Congress and the administration to focus on the FY2012 budget and the broader reforms that will be necessary to begin bringing the federal debt under control.

“These are challenging times and difficult decisions must be made.  As this process progresses, I want to assure Mississippians that I will work hard to see that our state’s best interests are treated fairly.”

The $3.73 trillion plan submitted by the President marks the starting point for the development of a FY2012 budget resolution by Congress and the crafting of the appropriations bills to fund federal government programs and activities in the new fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2011.
           
The federal government is currently being funded through a continuing resolution (CR) at FY2010 spending levels.  The CR expires March 4.