WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement on President Barack Obama's Fiscal Year 2014 budget proposal:
"The president's budget request is overall positive news for New Mexico. It replaces harmful sequester cuts with a more balanced approach and calls for investments in Pre-K and manufacturing to help bolster the middle class. He is also recommending funding increases for New Mexico's labs, military installations and to reduce the backlog at the Veterans Administration, which I strongly support.
"While his proposal contains good points, there is also room for improvement. Funding for DOE's cleanup activities at LANL and WIPP need urgent improvement to meet DOE's commitment to New Mexico. I am also concerned about proposed changes in Social Security benefits, which seniors paid into and depend on to meet essential living expenses.
"I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee as we negotiate our spending priorities and continue moving through the budget process."
