"They voted to let the entire burden of deficit reduction fall squarely on the middle class, " he said of his rivals, in a statement on Thursday.

BBC: Sequester deadline looms as US faces $85bn cuts

Democrats responded that the Ryan proposal would harm economic growth by shifting the burden of deficit reduction to middle-class Americans, the elderly and others, while cutting spending for college loans, infrastructure development, scientific research and other areas vital for job creation.

CNN: Hope for compromise recedes as budget debate begins

Obama made such an approach a central campaign theme in winning re-election last year, arguing Republican proposals that focus on spending cuts alone would put most of the burden of deficit reduction on the middle class, the elderly, the poor and disabled.

CNN: Spending cut politics: D��j�� vu all over again