WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), and First Vice Chair Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) made the following statements today after President Trump released his budget proposal.
“President Trump’s budget proposal is a blueprint for systematically dismantling the federal government – it chokes off funding for agencies and services the American people rely on, and hobbles our ability to exert diplomatic influence around the world,” Rep. Grijalva said. “Trump prioritizes a feckless wall and the militarization of our borders over investing in a functional immigration system. He takes money from vital domestic programs – like a 31percent cut to EPA – and funnels it needlessly into the Pentagon, which is already by far the largest military budget in the world. And the idea that we would ramp up our capacity to wage war by cutting back at our ability to conduct diplomacy through a 29 percent cut to the State Department is literally a recipe for armed conflict in the future.”
“None of this serves the American people,” Rep. Grijalva continued. Instead of creating jobs, Trump’s budget lays off thousands of public workers that provide services to the American people. I am proud that the CPC’s People’s Budget stands in stark contrast to Trump’s vision for America. Our budget invests in the things that matter most: infrastructure to create jobs and ensure public safety; education to help our kids reach their full potential; and sustainable energy because, frankly, it’s the only responsible option we have. Trump’s budget is a gift to the military industrial complex – ours is the rebuttal for working Americans.”
“The People’s Budget makes the investments we need, unlike President Trump’s budget, which is the biggest disinvestment in the American people since just after World War II,” Rep. Ellison said. “His proposal cuts 31 percent of the EPA’s budget, which makes sure working people have clean air and water, and 21 percent from Labor Department programs that provide job training to seniors and disadvantaged youth. But he doesn’t stop there. No agency or program that serves working people is spared. Yet, the Department of Defense is seeing a 9 percent increase in spending – $52.3 billion, which is likely to benefit military contractors like Lockheed and Raytheon more than our service members.”
“Budgets are moral documents, and the American people deserve better,” Rep. Ellison continued. “They deserve a budget that strengthens our country by investing in infrastructure and education, and creates economic opportunity for all. They deserve the People’s Budget.”
“What working families need is a budget that will invest in our infrastructure, strengthen our children’s education and level the economic playing field by creating good paying jobs,” Rep. Pocan said. “The CPC’s People’s Budget does just that. As Progressives in a GOP-ruled Congress, we release our alternative budget each fiscal year to show Americans how progressive policies can strengthen our country. The Progressive Caucus’ Budget lays the foundation for an economy that works for everyone. The CPC Budget makes a $2 trillion investment in our country’s infrastructure to fix our crumbling roads and bridges, contaminated water pipes, and rebuild our public schools. Unlike President Trump, whose budget invests in bombs and tanks over working families, the CPC budget reduces prescription drug costs and creates economic opportunities for all Americans.”
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The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is the largest caucus within the House Democratic Caucus, with over 70 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and promote civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, a $15 national minimum wage, fair trade, gun violence reform, debt-free college, and making the federal government a Model Employer.
