Congressional Democrats Express Dissatisfaction with Obama Budget

A fair share of congressional Democrats have expressed confusion and dissatisfaction with President Obama’s 2011 FY budget proposals. Since the budget was released, it has increasingly been subject to heavy scrutiny and criticisms among Democrats. In addition to fiscally conservative Republicans, a growing number of Democrats are realizing that, in many ways, Obama’s budget is impractical and too costly. According to The Wall Street Journal, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D., Ark.) recently voiced the following frustration at a congressional hearing:



I guess I don’t understand…the vision of the administration when it comes to putting in place economic policy that works for our nation in today’s economy and the economic climate today.


Sen. Lincoln is particularly opposed to the budget’s goal to enact cap-and-trade legislation, which she believes will increase energy costs and unemployment.


During a hearing of the Senate Budget Committee, Sen. Kent Conrad (D., N.D.), also expressed his concerns about the budget when he stated:



I am very concerned about the long term, because I believe we’re on an unsustainable course. And the president’s 10-year outlook I don’t think is the path we can take as a nation.


Rep. Bill Pascrell (D., N.J.), expressed vehement opposition to Obama’s spending intentions during Wednesday’s Ways and Means hearing. Rep. Pascrell accused Obama of being guilty of pursuing the same “budgeting gimmicks” that were used by the George W. Bush administration. The Wall Street Journal reports that Rep. Pascrell communicated to Obama:



You’re doing the same thing as those other guys did.


Opposition to Obama’s 2011 FY budget isn’t shared by all congressional Democrats. However, perhaps this opposition will grow as more Democrats realize that Obama’s budget is fiscally irresponsible.. As The Heritage Foundation points out, the proposals of the Obama 2011 FY Budget will have long term devastating effects to our already unhealthy domestic economy.