Lowey statement on President Trump's 2018 budget request

“Just three weeks ago, Congress passed - in overwhelming, bipartisan fashion - an omnibus appropriations bill that provided responsible funding levels for critical services and investments. 

“Despite having personally signed the Omnibus into law, President Trump today proposed a cruel and radical departure from that solid foundation.  Cutting $54 billion from nondefense services and investments would have a devastating impact on working families, hospitals, law enforcement, schools, and local infrastructure around the country.  It is a false choice to suggest slashing these investments is the price of providing the equipment, training, and manpower our military needs.  We can - and should - do both.

“Further, there is no chance funding bills could be enacted while adhering to such a budget, setting the stage for another high-stakes showdown with the fate of the U.S. economy in the balance. 

“Even the existing caps on defense and nondefense are insufficient to meet this country’s growing needs.  A failure to raise these caps would make bipartisan consensus on government funding much more difficult, particularly given our late start to the Appropriations process and an erratic President who seems to want a government shutdown.

“I encourage President Trump to engage now with Congress on a spending framework that allows our nation to meet our responsibilities at home and abroad.”