President Biden laid out a $6.9 trillion budget plan Thursday that would increase taxes on the wealthy and cut deficits by $2.9 trillion over the next decade. The plan has little hope of passing in the Republican-run House or in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim edge.
Rep. Chellie Pingree, left, Senators, Angus King, an independent, and Susan Collins, a Republican. Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press, File
Here’s what three of Maine’s four members of Congress – Rep. Jared Golden, D-2nd District, did not respond to a request for his perspective Thursday night – had to say about the president’s proposal:
“Now that the President has released his budget, we are pressing forward with the work of writing our nation’s spending bills as quickly as possible. We have a real opportunity – and an important responsibility – to work together to make our country safer, more competitive, and do some good for the people we all represent back home. The power of the purse rests with Congress, and we take that responsibility seriously.
“The Senate Appropriations Committee will be busy and moving full steam ahead with subcommittee hearings on the President’s budget – providing an important opportunity to assess our country’s needs for the coming year. …
“We have made it clear that a return to regular order is good for the process and for the country. No one is saying it’s going to be easy but we believe Senators on both sides of the aisle share our commitment to work together, find common ground, and make progress for the American people.” — Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Patty Murray, R-Wash., vice-chair and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“Senator King and staff are in the process of reviewing President Biden’s budget. The top-line numbers show a proposal that will reduce the budget deficit, strengthen America’s national security, and build on some of the historic job-creating legislation passed by Congress over the last few years. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senator will be carefully evaluating the defense budget request and using it as a starting point to shape the upcoming 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.” — Sen. Angus King, I-Maine
“The climate crisis is here and is impacting the lives of all Americans. As ranking member of the House Interior Appropriations subcommittee, I share the Biden administration’s philosophy that we need a whole-of-government approach to combat the climate crisis. The president’s budget request reflects that mindset and reenforces our steadfast commitment to tackling climate change through federal investments. I am also pleased that the President’s budget blueprint mirrors the priorities I championed in the FY2023 appropriations package to uphold our commitment to native people who have faced stark environmental injustices and have had underfunded resources for too long.” — Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District
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