WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Committee member Jim Ramstad (R-MN) today called President Clinton's fiscal year 2001 budget proposal "a mixed bag -- not as bad as most Republicans claim nor as good as most Democrats maintain."

"I applaud the President's proposal to pay off the public debt by 2013 because we must quit mortgaging the futures of our children and grandchildren," said Ramstad.

"I do not support the President's excessive spending, at twice the rate of inflation," said Ramstad. "As Chairman Greenspan has warned, Congress and the President must keep federal government spending in check so we don't see the return of soaring interest rates."

"I was also disappointed the President provides such little tax relief, and at the same time, imposes significant tax hikes," said Ramstad. "With a non-Social Security surplus of $2 trillion, Congress should save Social Security, pay down the debt and provide responsible tax relief."

"As a Member of the Health Subcommittee, I am very concerned that the President's prescription drug proposal would require reducing Medicare payments to providers by $40 billion over 10 years," said Ramstad. "Congress and the President should modernize Medicare to reflect the advancements in our health care system, including a targeted prescription drug proposal to cover low-income seniors without displacing the coverage that 65% of our seniors already enjoy."