Meng Issues Statement on Trump Budget Request

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on President Trump's 2018 budget request.

"President Trump's budget will spell disaster for hardworking American families. The most important question we can ask of any budget is who will it benefit? With this budget, certainly not middle class families, who will see investments in education slashed. Certainly not rural Americans, who will see critical rural cooperative and manufacturing programs completely eliminated, and deep cuts to economic development partnerships such as the Appalachian Regional Commission. Certainly not Americans who are sick, especially children and those with disabilities, who will see drastic cuts to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, the latter providing health coverage to 5.6 million children. This is not to mention the $6 billion cuts to federally-funded medical research, an essential investment to finding cures for the most devastating diseases.

Who will benefit from this budget? The wealthiest Americans, who will see generous tax cuts at the expense of middle class families and those who are particularly vulnerable. This budget takes an axe to safety net programs, including stripping away programs such as LIHEAP which provides critical heating and cooling assistance to millions across the country, many among them seniors.

We can spend responsibly, judiciously, and compassionately on both domestic and military spending, but this budget does none of these things."