Roberts says no to budget deal; Jenkins reviewing the plan

A bipartisan budget deal endorsed by President Barack Obama won’t get U.S. Sen Pat Roberts’ support.

The Kansas Republican said Wednesday the proposal increased spending and taxes and would have no significant impact on the national debt.

“This latest deal is just more taxing and spending, based on promises of additional spending reductions which are not likely to ever be implemented,” he said.

Roberts’ Republican Party primary opponent Milton Wolf had issued a news release calling on Roberts to vote against the bill.

“It’s time for Senator Roberts to put Kansans first and stand up to the out of control Washington spending,” Wolf said.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., did not respond to an email requesting a statement on his position.

In the House, U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, a Republican whose district includes Lawrence, was studying the plan, according to her spokeswoman Annie Dwyer.

“As you would expect from any bipartisan agreement reached between a divided government, this bill has a number of positive and negative aspects, and Congresswoman Jenkins is still in the process of reviewing the proposal,” Dwyer said.

Meanwhile, Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, tweeted, “I won’t vote for this deal. It’s just more and more spending.”

A House vote was expected as early as Thursday.

The plan was announced Tuesday by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.

Supporters said it would avert a future government shutdown and set the tone for possible future negotiations.

A number of groups influential in the Republican caucus criticized the plan because it would add to the federal deficit.

The bill would reverse $63 billion in across-the-board spending cuts scheduled to take effect in the current budget year and the next one, easing a crunch on programs ranging from environmental protection to defense.

It would offset the higher spending with $85 billion from higher fees and curtailments on government benefit programs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.