Familiar themes heard in GOP address

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate must pass a budget and Congress must reform federal entitlement programs, a South Dakota Republican senator argued Saturday.

Delivering the weekly GOP media address, Sen. John Thune sounded themes that have become a mantra for the party, The Hill reported.

He slammed the Democratically-controlled Senate for not approving a budget in four years, noting "the last time Senate Democrats passed a budget, the iPad didn't even exist."

He insisted that changes must be made to Social Security and Medicare in order to preserve them for future generations.

Without reform, the programs are "on an unsustainable path," he said.

Thune argued that spending cuts and not tax hikes were the solution to the nation's growing deficit.

Republicans agreed earlier this month to raise taxes on incomes above $400,000, but now, Thune said, "it's time to address the real cause of Washington's fiscal mess -- out of control spending. No tax increase, no matter how high, will be enough to save us."

He expressed hope that the changes the GOP has called for could be made, ABC Radio News reported.

"If we act now, we can put our nation back on a sound financial footing and preserve the promise of economic prosperity for future generations," Thune said.