Senate Republicans go on offensive against Obama's budget proposal

For the second time this week, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) used his morning floor address to attack President Obama's proposed budget for 2012.

"It's more of the same," said McConnell. "More spending, more taxes, more borrowing. And we see this budget from a president who doesn't seem to understand the gravity of the crisis." 

Other members of the Republican Conference are seizing every possible opportunity to tear into the proposal.

During time designated for debate on the pending Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization bill on Wednesday morning, Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) criticized Obama for "raising taxes rather than cutting spending."

A few Republicans even used portions of their speeches supporting non-controversial judicial nominees to express horror at the spending levels in the president's proposed budget for fiscal 2012.

Several Democrats are standing by the president's five-year freeze on spending, although some lawmakers want further cuts and are worried the proposed budget doesn't do enough to cut the debt.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) took to the floor to voice their support.

"The president is trying to chart a course that moves us forward in a responsible way, cutting spending where it will not hurt economic recovery and growth, and investing with the federal funds we will spend in programs that count," said Durbin.

Reid spoke about the budget just once this week, during leader time on Tuesday, and offered support with minor reservations.

"What I found deep in this budget was affirmation of our principles," said Reid. "He did not just talk about tough choices, he made them."

But Reid added, "I do not agree with all of his choices. I disagree with some of his cuts."