Waco, Texas ? President Bush used the upcoming income tax-filing deadline and his weekly radio address to promote tax-cut proposals and set up an election-year debate with Democrats over the issue.

In the broadcast Saturday, Bush urged Congress to permanently extend tax cuts that he pushed into law during his first term, which are set to expire in coming years.

“Some Democrats in Washington are insisting that we let that happen, or even repeal the tax cuts now,” Bush said as he spent the weekend at his Texas ranch. “In either case, that would weaken our economy and would leave American families with a big tax hike that they do not expect and will not welcome.”

Democrats argue Bush’s emphasis on sweeping tax cuts is driving up the deficit. They say his tax relief primarily benefits the wealthy.

The president argued that he can meet his goal of cutting the deficit in half by the end of his time in office through pro-growth economic policies and spending restraint.