Alabama Republicans quickly dismiss Barack Obama’s 2017 budget proposal

President Barack Obama sent his final budget proposal for 2017 to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, offering a $4 trillion spending blueprint to lawmakers that calls for billions of dollars to be committed to clean energy, education and Medicaid, and would be paid for it by raising taxes on big banks and the wealthy. Unsurprisingly, Alabama Republicans do not support the plan.

Here’s what Alabama’s lawmakers are saying about the new budget proposal:

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby:

President Obama’s wildly irresponsible budget plan further cements his legacy of liberal priorities: higher taxes, more borrowing, and wasteful spending. The American people deserve better than a President who continually offers unsustainable proposals to expand our bloated federal government while ignoring our massive $19 trillion of debt.  The only positive news coming from this budget blueprint is that it is President Obama’s last.

I have consistently advocated for a constitutional amendment that would require the federal government to do what Americans and their families do every day – balance a budget.  Our priorities should be to cut wasteful government spending, reform our nation’s complex tax code, and get Washington out of the way so that the private sector can succeed.

U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01):

President Obama and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter just don’t get it. At a time when our nation is facing a range of threats from every corner of the globe, they are proposing to ignore the advice of Navy leaders and cut the LCS program. The Navy has made crystal clear they support and need 52 Littoral Combat Ships in order to fulfill their mission.

Since my first day in Congress, I have been working with my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee and throughout the House to build support for this important program. That’s why I’m confident Congress will reject this flawed proposal from a lame-duck President and a lame-duck Secretary of Defense.

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06):

Increasing spending, while the Congressional Budget Office projects a shortfall in revenues, is not a path to fiscal responsibility, but that’s exactly what President Obama is proposing. His priorities do not represent the priorities of the American people. Whether it is the government or an individual, it is irresponsible to continue spending more than you earn.

A responsible budget would balance without gimmicks, would cut spending, and would not raise taxes on the hard working American people. President Obama’s proposal fails in every category.

A summary Obama’s budget request may be found here.