U.S. Representative Dave Camp of Midland delivered the first national republican address of 2013 over the weekend.
He called for more spending cuts as part of a deficit reduction package, and for an overhaul of the country's tax system.
Camp used the address to tout the tax cuts that were made permanent last week for about 98 percent of Americans.
But, he said much more needs to be done to trim the nation's debt, and that congress will hold the president to a quote "balanced approach."
"That means cutting wasteful spending, strengthening programs like Medicare and Social Security, so that they're there when Americans need them. And creating a tax code that creates a healthy economy." Camp said.
President Obama also used his weekly address to call for changes to America's tax code. In particular, he wants to eliminate loopholes used mainly by the rich.
"The wealthiest individuals, and the biggest corporations, shouldn't be able to take advantage to loopholes and deductions that aren't available to most Americans." Obama said.
Congress and the president are now preparing for the next big battle: the upcoming debt ceiling, and a round of automatic spending cuts.