Jayapal Statement on Trump’s FY19 Budget Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, vice ranking member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement in response to the budget proposal released by President Trump today:

“President Trump’s budget proposal makes it clear, all over again, that his administration does not care about working people.  His budget takes from middle class families and the most vulnerable and gives to the rich. It guts anti-poverty and health care programs, and slashes investments in economic growth. All of this in order to pay for the GOP’s tax scam that handed trillions of dollars to the wealthy and large corporations. This is the last step in the GOP’s three-step dance to rig the economy in favor of the top 1 percent.

“The adverse impacts of Trump’s budget on working people will be extreme. It guts $263 billion from programs designed to lift people out of poverty. It cuts $214 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that protected 44 million people from food insecurity and hunger in 2016. Trump is attempting to destroy Medicaid by gutting $1.4 trillion from the program, jeopardizing the lives of seniors and children. The budget also cuts $266 billion from Medicare, hurting seniors across our country.

“Budgets should reflect our moral priorities. This budget demonstrates that Trump’s only commitment is to lining the pockets of his wealthy friends. We need a budget based on equity and compassion that puts working families first – that’s the kind of budget I will continue to fight for.”

Issues: Jobs, Labor, & the Economy