CBNNews.com - The House went on to approve a blueprint of President Obama's budget, Thursday, despite calls from Republicans and Democrats alike to scale down its hefty price tag.

After weeks of rhetoric, lawmakers seemed closer to adopting an alternative version, but instead passed the $3.6 trillion budget drawn by Obama in a 233-196 vote.

Republicans continued to criticize the budget, saying it would only do harm to America's already struggling economy.

"The administration's budget simply taxes too much, spends too much and borrows too much at a moment when we can least afford it," said  Senate Republican leaderMitch McConnell.

Both chambers had been voting on amendment after amendment to tack on to the 2010 budget.

Republican argued that the budget spends too much, borrows too much and taxes too much. And some Democrats agree.

With political and fiscal differences, the tenor of the debate at times got testy.

"If you've loved the last eight years then you should vote for the Republican budget, because it's a continuation of the same thing," Rep. James McGovern charged. "If you want a different direction, a direction in which we invest in our economy, invest in our health care, invest in clean energy, invest in education and reduce our deficits, then you need to vote for the Democratic budget."

In the Senate, an alternative budget offered by Sen. John McCain failed to win enough votes.

It would've curbed the growth of health care, capped government agency spending and eliminated the president's proposed tax hike.

It looks like President Obama will get mostly what he wants in his budget

The House and Senate have to resolve differences in competing versions and their goal is to pass the budget before they go on spring recess next Monday.