President Donald Trump has released his budget outline for fiscal year 2018.
In the outline, proposed funding eliminations would fall to the African Development Foundation; the Appalachian Regional Commission; the Chemical Safety Board; the Corporation for National and Community Service; the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; the Delta Regional Authority; the Denali Commission; the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and more.
However, the military gets a large boost. The budget outline repeals the defense sequestration by restoring $52 billion to Department of Defense (DOD), as well as $2 billion to other national defense programs outside DOD, for a $54 billion total increase for national defense discretionary budget authority above the sequestration level budget cap.
CLICK HERE for the full budget outline.
Senator Thad Cochran said the budget outline highlights the President’s priorities.
“President Trump’s budget request underscores his commitment to make the nation more secure through increased defense and homeland security funding,” said Cochran. “I commend his focus on national security. I look forward to receiving additional details about the request, which will help the Congress in making final funding decisions.”
With that budget outline ahead, Cochran said the focus is still forward on the task at hand.
“The House and Senate are making progress on resolving the outstanding issues with the remaining FY2017 appropriations bills. I encourage all Senators to work in good faith to complete our work on FY2017 appropriations before April 28.”
However, Congressman Bennie Thompson said the slimmed budget is ineffective.
“Democrats and Republicans agree: this ‘skinny’ budget is dead on arrival. President Trump’s first budget is nothing more than a conservative fantasy to slash government with no rational justification. His budget highlights his obsession with mass deportations and building a border wall while making clear he is more concerned with keeping campaign promises than keeping the country safe and secure,” said Thompson. “President Trump pretends this budget prioritizes security but all evidence points to the contrary. He devotes all increases in homeland security spending for his border wall and immigrant detention while the rest of DHS is left holding the bag. Let it be clear – the billions dedicated to massive deportations and a wall along our southwest border hold little promise of preventing a terrorist attack.”
As ranking member of the Department of Homeland Security committee, Thompson also took issue with the President’s cuts to certain grant programs.
“Inexplicably, the President’s budget slashes proven FEMA anti-terrorism grant programs and leaves high-risk surface transportation infrastructure vulnerable by imposing cuts to TSA and law enforcement support programs. The scant information provided today also raises significant questions about how the Coast Guard’s urgent recapitalization needs will be addressed,” said Thompson. ” The President needs to go back to the drawing board before submitting his final budget request and return to Congress with a plan that is realistic, actually keeps us safe, and doesn’t decimate the government.”
