By Thomas Ferraro
WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed $3.55 trillion federal budget drew swift words of anger and concern on Thursday from top Republicans in Congress, presaging major political fights over spending.
While Obama's fellow Democrats control Congress, the president will need the support of fiscal conservatives in his own party, and possibly even some moderate Republicans, to pass any budget.
"I have serious concerns with this budget, which demands hardworking American families and job creators turn over more of their hard-earned money to the government to pay for unprecedented spending increases," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement.
"The American people deserve a budget that puts fiscal discipline and jobs first. The budget offered by the Obama Administration fails on both counts," said Representative Mike Pence, a member of the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives.
"The American people know we cannot tax, spend and borrow our way back to a healthy economy," Pence said in a statement, adding that Obama had presented a "prescription for economic decline."
Republicans have long touted themselves as champions of limited government, but surrendered that claim in approving a series of big-deficit budgets during the administration of Obama's predecessor, Republican George W. Bush.
Republicans vow to return to their conservative principles as they seek to rebound from last November's election when Democrats won control of both the White House and Congress for the first time since 1992.
(Reporting by Thomas Ferraro; editing by Frances Kerry)
(thomas.ferraro@thomsonreuters.com; +1-202-789-8015; Reuters Messaging: thomas.ferraro.reuters.com@reuters.net))