The two chambers will now consider each other's plan, but it is not expected that either proposal will become law.

The House and Senate have, however, passed a short-term spending bill to avert a government shutdown on March 27. This bill awaits the President's signature.

Indiana Sens. Dan Coats and Joe Donnelly, and Second District Rep. Jackie Walorski all issued statements following the budget votes as follows:

Walorski applauds House passage of federal budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives Thursday (March 21) voted for passage of the House Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2014, H. Con. Res. 25. As a member of the House Budget Committee, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski applauded the passage of a budget that she says will balance in 10 years, spur economic growth, and enable job creation.

“American families deserve a serious budget that balances without taking more money out of their pockets,” said Walorski. “I am proud to support this commonsense plan to reduce wasteful spending, jumpstart the economy, and put more Hoosiers back to work—without raising taxes.”

Walorski's office reports the House budget plan reduces federal spending by $4.6 trillion over the next decade and calls for revenue neutral tax reform. According to Stanford University economists, this budget could result in $1500 in additional household income for taxpayers by next year, and $4000 more by 2024.

“If Senate Democrats pass their budget, the American people will have a clear choice between our budget that creates more opportunities for hardworking families, or a budget that increases taxes and wasteful spending—jeopardizing the American dream for future generations,” said Walorski.

The House Budget Resolution passed committee last week and will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

Donnelly votes in favor of Senate budget  proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen.Joe Donnelly Saturday morning (March 23) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Senate budget proposal.

“I think we need to cut spending and make changes to our tax code as we work our way back to a balanced budget. The budget proposal I voted for today is not perfect, but it is balanced: it would cut spending by nearly $1 trillion and close unnecessary tax loopholes. Even more important, it would not balance the budget by turning Medicare into a voucher program or by raising taxes on middle class families.

“There is no issue greater than getting more Hoosiers back to work, so I was pleased to vote for two important amendments during this debate, both of which passed the Senate, to help create jobs for Hoosiers. I was joined by every Republican senator and 32 of my Democratic colleagues in voting to repeal the medical device tax, which is inhibiting the growth of some of Indiana’s most important jobs creators. I also supported a bipartisan amendment advocating for the construction of the Keystone Pipeline, which would create tens of thousands of jobs and help lessen our dependence on foreign oil. I will continue focusing on job creation when I travel across Indiana next week meeting with community leaders to discuss how we can continue to grow our state’s economy.

“Now it is time for both parties to come to the table to make the tough choices necessary to further cut spending and move toward a balanced budget as we aim to create a stronger country for our children and grandchildren.”

Coats opposes Senate budget proposal

Says 'this is an unserious plan at a time that demands serious action'

WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) Saturday (March 23) made the following statement after voting against Fiscal Year 2014 Senate Budget Resolution early Saturday morning:

“It has been four years since the Senate last considered a budget, but unfortunately the Senate Democrats’ plan was not worth the wait. This budget won’t reduce the out-of-control federal spending. It won’t grow the economy or generate job creation. It won’t save Medicare and Social Security from going broke. It won’t pull our country back from the brink of a fiscal crisis and it won’t balance the budget.

“Instead, the Democrats’ budget puts the foot on the gas pedal and drives our country further and faster into debt. Rather than grow the economy, the Democrats’ budget grows the government at the expense of hardworking Hoosier taxpayers. The Senate budget is an unserious plan at a time that demands serious action and tough choices to get our fiscal house back in order.”

The Senate unanimously agreed to include one of Coats’ amendments in the budget resolution that would require the Congressional Budget Office to report annually an estimate of the cost per taxpayer of the deficit for any year the president’s budget is projected to produce a deficit.

“I am pleased the Senate agreed to pass my amendment that forces Washington to be honest with the American people about the seriousness of our financial problems,” added Coats. “At a time when each child born today is saddled with $50,000 of debt, Congress should be focused on bringing down the deficit and growing the economy. This amendment is a good step toward transparency and requiring the administration to outline how much it is adding to the debt.”

The House of Representatives passed similar legislation introduced by Congressman Luke Messer (R-Ind.) earlier this month. Senator Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) cosponsored the amendment to the budget resolution and joined Coats last week to introduce similar legislation as a stand-alone bill in the Senate.