In a document that appears to fulfill many of the promises made by Donald Trump during his presidential campaign, the White House has released a 2018 budget outline that cuts many domestic programs in favor of increased military spending.
In a statement included with the text of the budget, Mick Mulvaney, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, said the plan provides “lawmakers and the public with a view of the priorities of the president and his administration.”
Reactions from Colorado’s representatives in Washington D.C. are expectedly party line.
Senior Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat, labeled it as “not a serious proposal,” while Republican Rep. Scott Tipton of the 3rd District signaled a readiness to cooperate with the administration. “I look forward to working through the budget and appropriations process to further our pathway towards fiscal responsibility,” said the Western Slope congressman.
Here are the full statements of the delegation:
Sen. Michael Bennet, D
"This budget is not a serious proposal to help our country compete in the 21st century economy. Even members of the President's own party have called this dead on arrival. Cutting investments in affordable housing, infrastructure, research, and environmental protection isn't putting ‘America First.' Instead, this blueprint offers ideologically-driven cuts masquerading as deficit reduction. The President should abandon this plan and start working with Congress on responsible solutions to reduce our deficit while maintaining important investments in our country,"
Sen. Cory Gardner, R
No statement yet
Rep. Ken Buck, R
No statement yet
Rep. Mike Coffman, R
No statement yet
Rep. Diana DeGette, D
"This proposal shows that President Trump's priorities are dangerous. I am especially concerned that the president plans to gut the State Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Health."
"Republicans and Democrats alike have expanded NIH over time to support vital research that has helped Americans live longer and healthier lives. The EPA has promoted safe water, air and soil in this country for 46 years. And State protects long-term American interests and works to improve security around the world."
"If this short-sighted budget request is enacted as-is, it will be calamitous for our country. Everyone supports strong national defense, but this plan beefs up military spending at the cost of ensuring a healthy, safe future for all through peaceful means."
Rep. Doug Lamborn, R
"With this budget, the President is keeping his promises to the American people to shrink the size of government and prioritize our essential national security obligations. I am pleased to see that he is committed to reducing out-of-control government spending and placing us on a path to a more fiscally sustainable future for our nation."
Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D
“At the start of the new Congress I said I would look for ways to work with the President and the Republican majority on issues where we could find common ground to continue to put people back to work and grow our economy. I also said I would speak out on issues I believed would hurt hardworking Coloradans. President Trump’s proposed budget will have devastating consequences for our country and for Colorado. I will do my best to fight against the cuts affecting hardworking families, federal employees, businesses and research organizations.”
Rep. Jared Polis, D
"This is a carelessly crafted wrecking ball. The President's budget says less diplomacy, more bombs. He's saying less resources for underserved students, and more for private schools. He’s saying less funding for our world-renowned scientists, and more dollars for walls. He's saying less environmental protections, and more pollution in our air and water."
"His budget is a statement of his principles, and it is deeply troubling. In the 21st century, our budget needs to solve problems not roll back progress."
Rep. Scott Tipton, R
“Our country is at a critical junction. With our national debt now over $20 trillion, the federal government cannot continue to spend money it doesn’t have. It is now more important than ever that we focus federal resources on keeping our country safe through defense and diplomacy, invest in programs that deliver results for Americans on Main Street and grow the economy, and ensure our social safety nets are put on a sustainable course for those who truly need them. I look forward to working through the budget and appropriations process to further our pathway towards fiscal responsibility.”
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is an agency facing elimination in the president’s budget. In an op-ed, congressman Lamborn, a long-time critic of the funding, said the only the path for fiscal responsibility “involves cutting non-essential government programs — especially those that can afford to stand on their own two feet.” Outside of the White House’s budget proposal, Lamborn has submitted two bills, HR-726 and HR-727, to enact these changes.
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