FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement on President Trump’s budget blueprint for Fiscal Year 2018.

“I have now reviewed Donald Trump’s first budget. It is a ridiculous budget from a ridiculous President. His crazy budget proposal is a disaster and it’s dangerous.”

“A budget isn’t just facts and figures; it’s a statement of values and vision. Tragically, Trump’s values are apparently to assault the elderly, the middle class and the young. Trump’s vision puts our troops at greatly increased risk, while abandoning diplomacy, development and support for fledgling democracies around the world.”

“In Donald Trump’s America, there’s apparently no need to make college more affordable. Pell Grants will be slashed by $4 billion and work-study programs will be cut, making it much harder for students to get an education. In Donald Trump’s America, you better live in Trump Tower and not get sick, because federal affordable housing programs will be gutted, as will grants that fund cancer research.”

“In Donald Trump’s America, 26 million more people will lack health insurance and there will be a spike in domestic violence because Violence Against Women Act grants will be gutted. And for Trump, the urgent, fierce facts of the global climate crisis are ignored. Trump will walk away from the Clean Power Plan, slash programs to develop green technology and eliminate climate change research.”

“With his disgraceful budget, Donald Trump has sent a clear message to every American: You’re On Your Own, Folks. But my fellow Democrats and I have a different message: our budget proposals seek to make our nation healthier and more sustainable, more secure, more just and more inclusive. We are ready to fight for those values and for that vision of America.”

“Oh, and the elimination of the Meals on Wheels program by Trump is bizarrely cruel. I double dare the Republicans to let seniors starve.”

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