U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today issued the following statement on the president’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget request:

“I am extremely disappointed that the president’s proposed budget contains more spending we can’t afford and increases taxes on hard-working Americans at a time when people need more money in their pockets. In 2009, he pledged to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term but, instead, offered another budget that fails to reduce the federal government’s unsustainable spending levels and asks our military to continue to do more with less. The president’s proposed budget continues to enlarge the federal government and tax Americans more, and does nothing to spur job creation or economic growth.

“I believe in an economy where small businesses can keep more of their own hard-earned money so they can invest, expand their companies and hire employees. Last year, the House passed a bold budget designed to get this country back on its feet without accounting gimmicks and without tax increases. In the coming weeks, the House will again vote on a budget blueprint that takes serious steps to address the serious fiscal challenges facing our nation and help grow the economy.  And after more than 1,000 days, it is time for the Senate to do its job and pass a budget, too.”