President Obama is only backing the Gang of Six deficit-reduction proposal because Republicans are on the offensive with a plan of their own, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) said.

“I don’t know enough about the Gang of Six proposal, but I do know the only reason the president is stepping up and saying he might support this is that Republicans are now on the offense with a plan that would increase the debt limit in a way that Moody’s and S&P would recognize as credible long-term deficit reduction,” DeMint said Tuesday on Fox Business Network.

Earlier on Tuesday, Obama voiced his support for the $3.7 trillion deficit-reduction proposal the so-called “Gang of Six” group of senators unveiled.