Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement in response to President Obama's budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2014, which was sent to Congress today:

“Several weeks after both the Senate and House of Representatives both adopted budget resolutions, the president has finally submitted his budget proposal. I have several concerns with his plan. First, the budget will never balance, despite $1.1 trillion in tax increases. Of particular importance to Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and small business owners is $72 billion in estate tax hikes. Let me be clear: I remain opposed to any tax increases; the president already got a $660 billion tax hike in January – it’s time to cut spending.

“I am encouraged, however, by the president’s willingness to begin addressing Medicare and Social Security – the primary drivers of our national debt. I hope to work with the president to reform and save these critical programs. I am also pleased that the president has changed his position and now appears to support revenue-neutral corporate tax reform. This is a step in the right direction, but the devil is in the details.”