Top Senate Democrat rejects GOP's deep budget cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) — A leading Democrat is predicting the Senate will reject House Republicans' deep budget cuts.

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin says Republicans are unfairly and unwisely placing the burden of spending cuts on domestic programs. Durbin tells "Fox News Sunday" he's "willing to see more deficit reduction, but not out of domestic discretionary spending."

Senate Democrats has offered a a measure that would trim $6.5 billion from domestic agencies, as President Barack Obama has proposed. That comes in response to a House-passed bill that would cut $61 billion from the federal budget.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell accuses Obama of not being serious about deficit issues even though he's had several discussions with the president. On CBS' Face the Nation," McConnell says he's seen no willingness from White House officials "to do anything that's difficult."

Still, Obama's chief of staff, William Daley, tells NBC's "Meet the Press" he doesn't think the White House and Republicans are as far apart as the numbers suggest.

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Shelley Adler, AP correspondent

Spending was one of the topics discussed on the Sunday talk shows. here's AP correspondent Shelley Adler.

<> 00:14 "lot like Greece"

Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Republicans' spending cuts are not reckless. COURTESY: CBS' 'Face The Nation' ((mandatory on-air credit))

<> 00:10 "long term problems"

Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Obama administration is not serious about getting a budget deal done. COURTESY: CBS' 'Face The Nation' ((mandatory on-air credit))

<> 00:08 "extremist reckless statement"

Senator John Kerry

Senator John Kerry says House Republicans' proposed spending cuts are not the answer. COURTESY: CBS' 'Face The Nation' ((mandatory on-air credit))

<> 00:05 "destroy our recovery"

Senator John Kerry

Senator John Kerry says Republicans proposed spending cuts are a terrible idea. COURTESY: CBS' 'Face The Nation' ((mandatory on-air credit))