Third Way Statement on the Leaked May 8 Trump Budget

WASHINGTON—Third Way President Jon Cowan released the following statement:

“Yesterday, Third Way received a spreadsheet with numbers from the President’s FY2018 proposed federal discretionary budget. The budget document is dated May 8, 2017. With the interest of the American public in mind — and as nothing in this document would be deemed classified material — we are releasing this document for all to see.

DOWNLOAD: The President's FY18 Budget Request By Agency and Account

“There are a lot of numbers in this proposed budget, but our initial reading is that it is harsh toward the poor and those struggling to reach the middle class. It treats climate change as if it were a hoax. It jeopardizes Americans’ health. And it takes a go-it-alone approach to national security. For example, the proposed budget eliminates the Social Service Block Grant, a roughly $2 billion program to help low-income families raise healthy children. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is zeroed-out, cutting more than $3 billion in heating assistance to the poor. It chops substance abuse and mental health funding by one-fifth. Public housing would lose nearly $2 billion in operating and capital improvements. It raids student financial aid to pay for a quadrupling of funding for construction on the border. It slashes critical support to allies in their efforts to defeat terrorism and eviscerates the tools our diplomats need to prevent conflict. Peacekeeping efforts have been cut in half. The National Science Foundation is cut by more than ten percent. And, of course, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting budget is eliminated.

“If it were to be enacted, this budget would be a catastrophe for America. But the President’s budget is, thankfully, not the final say in Washington. Ultimately, it is up to Congress to bring more strategic thinking, thoughtfulness, and humanity to our federal priorities."