Sen. Menendez knocks Bush's budget

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Saying President George W. Bush's budget hurts the middle-class, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., called for support for reform and Democrats in Washington.

Menendez, delivering the Democrats' weekly radio address, claimed Washington Republicans "just don't seem to care" about middle-class Americans and instead "they're pushing an agenda driven by the powerful few."

He said the proof was in the fiscal 2007 budget Bush sent to Congress this week.

The president asked for some $2.77 trillion, with increases for the departments of Defense and Homeland Security, but cuts in most other areas. Menendez said the budget includes "billions of dollars in wasteful spending."

"I hope you will join with Democrats in pushing for change," Menendez said.

"We can have a government that puts progress ahead of politics. We can have a budget that honors our values. And we can make sure that middle-class families -- not special interests -- always come first."