Politics & Government

Senators Scott Brown, John Kerry on President Obama's Budget

Senators react to President Barack Obama's budget proposal.

Massachusetts' two U.S. Senators reacted to the release of President Barack Obama's federal budget for 2013 Monday.

The senators — Scott Brown and John Kerry — had rather different takes on the president's $3.8 trillion proposal.

Sen. Brown, a Wrentham resident, indicated skepticism about the level of spending in the budget. He said such spending led to the economic troubles in Europe.

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Sen. Kerry praised the budget, noting what he called investments in research and development, education and clean energy.

The full text of the senators' statements follows.

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Sen. Scott Brown (R, MA)

“We can do better than a budget that runs a trillion dollar deficit and raises taxes in the midst of an economic downturn. In Europe, nation after nation is in crisis as a result of this tax and spend mindset. I believe it's time to pass a balanced budget amendment and finally bring fiscal discipline to Washington."

Sen. John Kerry (D, MA)

“This is a balanced blue print to grow our economy, make some tough deficit reduction choices, and end the tax breaks for the wealthiest that never created jobs and gave us deficits in the first place. This plan maintains critical investments in research and development, education, and clean energy that will create jobs and strengthen economic recovery. It doubles down on supporting the next generation of roads, railways, and bridges as well as the development of a National Infrastructure Bank based on my bi-partisan proposal with Senators Hutchison and Graham.

“Tough decisions lie ahead. We will debate budget choices but it would be a mistake to shortchange investments in people from LIHEAP to Head Start and programs that make a difference each day for seniors, children, the disabled, and working poor families. No one should ever have to make the choice between food, medicine, and heating their homes, and I’ll continue to fight for the funding to protect the vulnerable, create jobs, and strengthen Massachusetts' economy.  If people in Washington can put ideology aside, we can cut waste in government without cutting out the heart of our country or the backbone of our economy.”


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