Rep. Delaney Issues Statement on White House Budget

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- Rep. John Delaney, D-Md., issued the following news release:

On Tuesday, the White House released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2018. President Trump's budget includes major cuts to education, environmental protection and cleanup, science and research, health care and the social safety net. The White House budget also includes $1.6 billion to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico and large tax cuts for the wealthy. The budget includes baseline economic growth projections that have been challenged by both conservative and progressive economists and numerous instances of double-counting and basic errors.

Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6), releases the following statement:

"President Trump's budget doesn't help prepare our country for a better future and reflects the wrong priorities and the wrong goals. I am appalled by the values expressed in this budget, which will greatly harm the most vulnerable among us and reward those who least need it. This is a backwards-looking Tea Party budget that doesn't position the country to succeed in a high-tech global economy or to lead in the industries of the future.

"The initial 'skinny budget' released in March was a declaration of war on the state of Maryland and this is now the first shot. From Western Maryland to the Bay, this budget is disastrous for our state. I called on every elected official in Maryland to speak out against Trump's budget and we need a united voice now more than ever. Once again, it would be helpful if our Governor dared to criticize the President, who is pushing an agenda that would be terrible for our economy and state budget."

President Trump's budget:

Eliminates the Appalachian Regional Commission, which provided over $1.8 million in economic development grants to Western Maryland in 2016.

Eliminates funding for the TIGER grant infrastructure program, a $499 million dollar cut to America's infrastructure.

Eliminates the Essential Air Service program which supports rural airports, including the Hagerstown Regional Airport.

Eliminates the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which assists families with heating and cooling costs.

Eliminates funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Includes a 19% cut to the National Institutes of Health, reducing funding by $5.8 billion.

Includes an elimination of the cost of living adjustment for current and future Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) participants and an increase in employee contributions, costing Federal employees and retirees nearly $150 billion.

Includes $600 billion in cuts to Medicaid, a 47% reduction, and $193 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program over the next decade.

Includes $40 billion in cuts to the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit over the next decade.

Includes $72 billion in cuts to the Social Security Disability Program.

Includes $21 billion in cuts to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Includes a 28% cut to the State Department, including major cuts to diplomacy, development and climate change programs.

Includes a 31% cut to the Environmental Protection Agency and a full elimination of federal support for Chesapeake Bay cleanup as well as over 50 other environmental programs.

Includes a 21% cut to the Department of Agriculture with major cuts to nutrition assistance programs and cuts to programs that serve rural communities.

Includes a 13% cut to the Department of Education, including reductions to before-school and after-school programs, financial aid and federal work-study programs for higher education.

Includes a 6% cut to the Department of Energy and major cuts to climate science and clean energy programs.

Eliminates the Community Development Block Grant Program, which has supported $746 million in Maryland community development projects since 2003.