WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s $4.8 trillion spending plan is either a necessary slowing of welfare programs or a destruction of the safety net protecting underprivileged Americans, depending on who is asked.
The president’s plan holds big cuts to programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, while boosting funding to the military, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs.
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., lauded the tightening of welfare programs, while Democratic Sen. Bob Casey said the proposal would be “ripping health care away from millions of children and families.”
Toomey said, “Our government is on an unsustainable spending path. Since 2014, overall spending has increased by nearly a trillion dollars and our big entitlement programs remain on a crash course with insolvency. For that reason, I appreciate that President Trump’s proposal includes $4.6 trillion in savings over the next decade.”
That savings would come in part from reductions in spending on food stamps and federal disability benefits by more stringent work and eligibility requirements.
“With unemployment at near historic lows, the president is right to slow the growth rates of, and tighten eligibility requirements for, the various welfare programs,” Toomey said. “Furthermore, the entire 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act should be made permanent in order to continue fueling a booming economy. The president’s budget takes a constructive step in that direction.”
He was pleased, too, at the proposal’s boost to military spending.
“The most important responsibility for a president is to keep the American people safe,” Toomey said. “Continuing efforts to rebuild the military and increase security at the southern border are necessary parts of accomplishing this.”
He added that the proposal is merely the beginning of the budget process.
“This budget proposal serves only to outline the priorities of the administration and does not carry the weight of law,” Toomey explained. “The ultimate responsibility for passing a budget and funding the government rests with Congress.”
Casey took to Twitter to share his reaction to the proposal.
He said the budget, along with the Republicans’ lawsuit on Obamacare, is “ripping health care away from millions of children and families.”
Casey’s statement read: “President Trump’s budget slashes Medicare and Medicaid. He promised to protect the programs in 2016, but he lied. Instead of strengthening the middle class, the President keeps giving tax cuts to the super-rich and big corporations while hardworking families foot the bill.
“This budget makes it clear: Whenever President Trump and congressional Republicans get the chance, Medicare and Medicaid are on the chopping block.”
