Washington, D.C. – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, released the following statement today after President Obama unveiled his budget request for Fiscal Year 2013, which would raise taxes, increase government spending, and add $11 trillion to the national debt over the next decade:

“The President’s budget taxes too much, spends too much, and borrows too much.  As we’ve seen over the last three years, that is a recipe for economic stagnation.  And if we continue down this path, the economic consequences will be devastating.  As we’ve learned from Greece and the European Union, no country can escape the consequences of Big Government policies forever.  That’s why the President’s budget is a ‘Roadmap to Greece.’  The American people deserve better.  And our children, in particular – who will inherit this debt – deserve better.

Under President Obama’s budget, the federal government will spend $3.8 trillion in FY 2013, while running a $1.3 trillion deficit.  Over the next 10 years, his budget would raise taxes by $1.9 trillion, while increasing the total national debt from $15 trillion to $26 trillion.  The President’s budget also threatens seniors because it does not make any fundamental changes to America’s entitlement programs.  Those programs are growing in cost, threatening their viability. 

“To grow our economy, keep the American Dream alive, and protect our seniors, I support the Ryan Plan,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.  “This bold, forward-looking proposal would reduce taxes, cut government spending by $6 trillion over the next decade, and put us on a path to balance the budget once and for all.”

According to Standard & Poor’s, if the President had signed the Ryan budget last year, the federal government would have avoided its embarrassing credit downgrade.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers is also a strong supporter of the Balanced Budget Amendment.