Sen. Lankford: Obama budget reckless

Sen. James Lankford

WASHINGTON, DC— Senator James Lankford (R-OK) Monday issued the following statement on the release of President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2016 Budget:

“The President’s White House budget proposal does not address many of the challenges facing our nation. Although our federal budget deficit has improved, we still spend nearly half-a-trillion dollars more than we take in. It is reckless that the President’s budget would increase federal spending by 7 percent in one year, and about 60 percent in ten years. The budget does not balance, it does not address the drivers of our debt, and it does not encourage private sector growth. “This budget doesn’t respect the sequester caps, or balance the budget, or address our entitlement programs. Our nation’s long-term budget challenges will not be solved with discretionary caps alone. Instead of breaking the promises we made in the Budget Control Act, we should support substantive reforms that will improve our long-term fiscal outlook and strengthen our entitlement programs.

“I look forward to a robust discussion about funding levels that guide homeland security, infrastructure, energy, and defense policy. A $4 trillion budget is a massive governing blueprint that must be studied and debated in a transparent manner.

“Families across Oklahoma have to balance their budgets – Washington should be no different. Republicans will put forward a budget that balances, lowers deficits, and cuts waste within the federal government. We must get America’s fiscal house in order to enjoy a vibrant economy again and leave a promising future for generations to come.”