Obama won some, lost some budget battles

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- A review of the United States' 2012 fiscal year budget found some of President Obama's suggestions were implemented, despite criticisms from some lawmakers.

A close look at budget documents approved last year shows some presidential budget proposals made the cut, The Hill reported Sunday.

Obama proposed $1.14 trillion in discretionary spending for 2012, which was cut by nearly $100 billion to $1.04 trillion, excluding war and disaster spending.

Three defense projects Obama proposed terminating -- the Marine Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, the SLAMRAAM missile and the second engine for the Joint Strike Fighter -- were dropped.

Community Development Block Grants were cut 7.5 percent as Obama had called for, despite opposition from liberal Democrats, as well as the Community Services Block Grant program, which was cut 1.9 percent.

"As the debate in Washington has focused more and more on curbing future deficits and debt compared to previous years when the focus was more on economic stimulus, it wouldn't be surprising that a large portion of proposed cuts were enacted. And probably more than in previous years," said Jason Peuquet, research director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Obama's proposal for increased taxes on gas and oil, however, were completely ignored, Peuquet said, as were reduced grants to airports and the elimination of funding for medical education.