Lawson Statement on President Trump’s Proposed Budget

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., issued the following statement:

"President Trump's budget calls for extreme cuts to vital funding for job training, clean energy, medical research, and public education. It is a short-sighted plan that seeks to give tax breaks to the wealthiest while taking away lifelines for those who need it most.

"We cannot reform our nation's health care system while simultaneously cutting $12.6 billion from the Health and Human Services budget. If we want to ensure clean drinking water for future generations, we need to be investing more in the Environmental Protection Agency, not cutting $2.6 billion from its budget. Our international standing relies on our global development and diplomacy work, which cannot afford an $11 billion cut.

"While I think we need to find innovative ways to make our federal government run more efficiently and save tax payer dollars, extreme cuts that will harm America's seniors, children, and families is not the way to do it. I believe that our national budget is a reflection of our values as a society and this does not align with the values of Florida's fifth Congressional district, and therefore I intend to strongly oppose it."

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