Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Obama, Opposition Lawmakers Poised for Budget Battles VOA News February 12, 2011 US President Barack Obama delivers his weekly address, February 12, 2011 Photo: White House Video US President Barack Obama delivers his weekly address, Feb. 12, 2011 U.S. President Barack Obama says the budget he will release Monday freezes domestic spending over the next five years, impacting programs he is fond of, but does not sacrifice investments in job-creating innovations and education. During his weekly address Saturday, Mr. Obama said his budget will trim $400 billion from the deficit over the next decade. IFRAME: [1]http://player.vimeo.com/video/19851288 In the Republican address, Senator Orin Hatch called the president's budget-trimming plan "timid." Hatch challenged Mr. Obama to reduce regulations and open a debate on funding entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Republicans in the House of Representatives are also calling for deeper spending cuts in a budget proposal unveiled Friday. The Republicans want to trim billions of dollars for domestic and foreign programs, including contributions to the United Nations. IFRAME: [2]http://www.youtube.com/embed/S76LF7XSpnA?rel=0 Republicans in the House want to reduce spending by $100 billion in seven months. Lawmakers in the Democrat-controlled Senate are already calling that plan unrealistic. The Republican budget package also maintains funding to Egypt and Israel, as well as diplomatic efforts in Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan. While President Obama has yet to reveal how his budget will impact international efforts, agreeing on a domestic spending plan may pose the greatest challenge. First, Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate must reach an agreement funding the federal government. The current funding cycle expires on March 4. Then the focus of debate will shift to the budget. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. References 1. http://player.vimeo.com/video/19851288 2. http://www.youtube.com/embed/S76LF7XSpnA?rel=0 .