On Monday’s broadcast of NPR’s “Morning Edition,” Shalanda Young of the White House Office of Management and Budget answered a question about whether President Joe Biden’s budget requires more government spending, saying, “A lot of presidents talk about fiscal responsibility. “Unlike the previous president, this president has been doing a good job of spending.” For every investment in your budget. On top of that, the president will cut the deficit by an additional $3 trillion. ” And if Congress “wants to do something about the fiscal path, take the president’s budget and ask them to start paying their fair share to the wealthiest people in this country.”
Co-host A. Martinez said, “The president says he wants to use the power of the government to reduce costs like child care and prescription drugs. How much of that will mean increased government spending? ”
Young replied: “Thank you so much for inviting me today. As you pointed out, the President is going to announce the budget for 2025 next year. As you say, this is about values. What is important in this country? Is this president very clear? His goals and his whole economic ethos is to grow the middle class, support working families, and reduce costs, and this president is trying to reduce inflation. He does that by expanding prescription drug benefits passed as part of the Cease and Desist Act. On Thursday, he outlined a new mortgage relief program to provide a bridge for families as interest rates fall. You heard me explain this. This president has been very clear about what he values. Congressional Republicans have been very clear about what they value. It prioritizes the middle class and working families over the nation’s wealthiest people.”
Martinez followed up by saying, “But does that mean he needs to increase government spending to do what he wants to do?”
Young said, “What that means is that unlike a lot of presidents who talk about fiscal responsibility, this president is paying for every investment in the budget. He’s going to cut the dollar deficit. So he’s putting fiscal responsibility on the back burner for everyone. He’s overseen $1 trillion in deficit reduction. He’s going to cut another $3 trillion in deficits. We submitted a budget that includes cuts. So we call on Congress: If you want to do something about our fiscal path, take the president’s budget and start paying your fair share to the wealthiest people in this country. I want you to ask for it.”
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