U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill. ) is defending the president’s proposal to reduce the deficit. President Barack Obama suggested raising $1.5 trillion dollars in new taxes, including higher taxes on wealthy Americans, on Monday.

Durbin, a Democrat, said the proposal needs bipartisan support, but Republicans are not backing it.

“People are sacrificing all over this country,” Durbin said at a school on Chicago’s West Side. “It’s not too much to ask those who are doing very well to sacrifice along with them.”

Durbin accused Republicans of blocking several of Mr. Obama’s attempts to pass legislation throughout his presidency.

After Monday’s announcement, many Republicans said they would not support a plan that would increase taxes to lower the deficit.