A group of 29 Democratic senators is raising concerns about proposals in President Trump's budget to make cuts to rural development programs.

"These reductions would undermine the ability of local communities to support rural home ownership; provide clean drinking and waste water systems; and promote access to critical services such as rural hospitals, police, and firefighters," the senators said in a letter to Trump sent Tuesday. "If enacted, these cuts would have a damaging impact on rural communities throughout the country."

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The Senate Democrats took issue with several aspects of Trump's fiscal 2018 budget, released last week, relating to agriculture. The budget proposed cutting Farm Bill programs by $231 billion. It also proposed eliminating U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding for water and wastewater projects and small-business programs.

"Simply put, cuts to these programs hinder the ability of rural America to see economic growth and development," the senators wrote.

The senators also were concerned about a separate announcement from the Trump administration this month that it plans to eliminate the position of USDA undersecretary for rural development. They said there's no need to eliminate the position while creating a trade undersecretary post, and that the USDA should consider comments from the public before it reorganizes the department.

"We will continue to fight for rural America by rejecting these budget cuts, and we ask that you reconsider USDA’s plan and maintain the Under Secretary for Rural Development," the Senate Democrats wrote. "We believe that if we can work together, we can find a better way to respond to the unique needs of America’s small towns and rural communities."

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