Trump Proposes “Historic Budget Contraction”: The Washington Post outlines the budget proposal expected from the White House today, saying it aims to “completely reshape government assistance to the poor.” White House budget director Mick Mulvaney said: “We are no longer going to measure compassion by the number of programs or the number of people on those programs.” USA Today notes that the cuts to food assistance and other safety-net programs are intended to help balance the budget at the end of a decade.
Conservatives cheered the plan, saying that cash, food, and housing benefits for families are too generous, according to The New York Times. An outline of the budget plan in The Wall Street Journal (subscription) notes proposed new spending for public infrastructure, the Veterans Choice program, and a new parental leave program.
“Austere Vision” of Country Likely a Tough Sell in Congress: The New York Times reports on the political landscape that faces the president’s proposed cuts in anti-poverty, health, education, and other programs. Trump officials call it a budget written “through the eyes of the people who are actually paying the taxes.” Republicans in Congress hail it but balk at various individual cuts. “Meals on Wheels, even for some of us who are considered to be fiscal hawks, may be a bridge too far,” said Rep. Mark Meadows, Republican of North Carolina. “Some of the large cuts, I don’t think will be sustained by the majorities in the House,” said House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen, a Republican of New Jersey, according to USA Today.
Food-Stamp Program Would Take a Hit Even as Number Dependent on Aid Grows: The proposed $193 million reduction in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program would represent a 29 percent cut, according to The Wall Street Journal (subscription). The number of Americans receiving food stamps is nearly double today what is was before the 2007-09 recession.
What the Budget Proposes to Cut From Health Spending, Safety Net: The Washington Post details the “massive” reductions called for in medical research, disease-prevention programs, and health insurance for children of the working poor. A Post data graphic outlines the reductions planned in Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
Broad Reductions Proposed in Student Loans, K-12 Spending: NPR outlines the cuts as well as proposals to change Title I funding and create private-school vouchers. Experts criticize the cuts but praise a proposal to simplify student-loan repayment.
10 Regional Environmental Programs Targeted: Cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency would eliminate federal efforts to restore fragile ecologies in the Great Lakes, Puget Sound, and the Chesapeake Bay, among others, according to USA Today. The budget plan also calls for opening up Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling, The Hill says. Meanwhile, a 31 percent cut in spending “would undoubtedly hobble the EPA,” says The Washington Post.