White House Rebuffs GOP Long-Term Budget Plan

WASHINGTON — The White House is rejecting a Republican plan to cut trillions of dollars in government spending over the next decade, saying it would spare the rich and burden seniors, the poor, and workers who lose their healthcare.

President Barack Obama also wants to reduce the deficit, but he believes "there's a more balanced way to achieve that goal," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

Said Carney: "We strongly disagree with this proposal" by GOP House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan.

Carney's comments echoed those of congressional Democrats and illustrated the deep divide over how to remedy the deficits and debt that saddle the nation's finances

The plan submitted by Ryan, R-Wis., would cut about $5 trillion over the upcoming decade.