The Economy

U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, a Republican who represents western Arizona, applauded the prospect of a tight budget.

"I've been saying for two years, 'Freeze it till it balances,' " said Franks, a conservative who was elected last month to his second term.

"I think it would be an austerity measure for every state," he said, but there is no alternative "unless Congress can repeal the laws of mathematics."

Last February, Bush proposed a 0.5 percent increase for domestic programs, which Congress eventually doubled.

The AZ Rep, Dec. 17, 2004 -- http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/1217bush-spending17.html

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