WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday swatted away an attempt by Senator Rand Paul to force a debate on sweeping budget cuts and on federal deficits that are growing despite a strong economy.

After last year’s tax cuts and a two-year agreement on agency budget levels, Republicans aren’t trying to pass a budget blueprint this year. There’s no appetite to cut popular programs in such a difficult political environment.

Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, offered a budget with a draconian $13 trillion worth of cuts over the coming decade, but he didn’t describe where they would come from. Instead he called on lawmakers to come up with ‘‘new efficiencies, consolidations, and other savings.’’

Paul’s move came as GOP leaders are encountering indifference or outright opposition to President Trump’s request to cut $15 billion worth of unused government funding.

associated press