US President Barack Obama has unveiled his 2012 budget, describing the proposal as a "down payment" on future cuts to the US budget deficit¹.

美国总统奥巴马宣布2012年财政预算，称其为缩减未来美国财政赤字的“预付金”。

The budget aims to cut $1.1tn (£690bn) from the US deficit over a decade.

He said the US must live within its means and called for some reductions, but said "we can't sacrifice our future" with drastic（激烈的） cuts.

Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, do not think the cuts go far enough in tackling the deficit.

"Presidents are elected to lead and address big challenges," Republican House budget committee chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin told reporters.

"The big challenge facing our economy today and our country tomorrow is the debt crisis. He's making it worse, not better."

Although Mr Obama is empowered to propose a budget, it is up to the US Congress to pass it into law and then to distribute the funds.

Mr Obama's proposed budget is seen as an opening bid in a long process of negotiation² with House and Senate leaders of both parties, and Republicans will press for deeper cuts.

"The president talks like someone who recognizes that spending is out of control, but so far it hasn't been matched with action," US Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement.

"Americans don't want a spending freeze at unsustainable（无法支撑的） levels. They want cuts, dramatic cuts. And I hope the president will work with us on achieving them soon."

Mr Obama's budget proposal envisages³（正视，面对） total spending of $3.73tn in the 2012 budget year, which begins in October. That is a 2.4% reduction from the current year.

The proposal also largely ignores what analysts⁴ say are the country's most crushing（决定性的） budget burdens: the Social Security retirement⁵ programme and the Medicare and Medicaid healthcare programmes for the elderly and poor.