Washington Democrats Pan Trump’s Budget Proposal
President Trump introduced his budget Tuesday, Washington Democrats made their opposition clear
Here are what Washington Democrats had to say about President Donald Trump’s budget proposal:
Senator Patty Murray: “A broken promise to America’s working families”
“If anyone is looking for a summary of the ways President Trump is trying to break his promises to workers and families while giving more taxpayer handouts to the wealthy and well-connected, they don’t have to look any further than this budget. I am hopeful that Congressional Republicans will do what they did with President Trump’s last budget request: ignore it and work with Democrats to invest in our workers, students, families, and the economy.”
Senator Maria Cantwell: “This budget shows a callous disregard for the problems that keep Washingtonians up at night.”
“When you ask people in Washington state what their biggest concerns are, they’ll point to skyrocketing housing costs, Puget Sound clean-up, congested transportation infrastructure, and rising medical costs. President Trump’s budget proposal does not put forward reasonable solutions to any of these problems. Instead, the Trump budget attacks the very programs that address these critical issues, making deep cuts to agencies like the EPA, HUD, and DOT, while permanently cutting and capping the Medicaid program. This budget shows a callous disregard for the problems that keep Washingtonians up at night.”
Rep. Suzan DelBene: “This budget is as irresponsible as it is dangerous.”
“Trump’s budget jeopardizes the middle class by gutting funding for basic necessities like healthcare, nutrition, housing and education.”
Rep. Adam Smith: “Trump Administration has proposed a disastrous and ideologically-driven budget”
“Instead of proposing a budget that makes available the tools Americans and this country need to succeed, the Trump Administration has proposed a disastrous and ideologically-driven budget that demonstrates this President’s complete lack of interest in or understanding of the realities of governing. The President has doubled down on his earlier campaign promises, and makes clear he wants to limit the government’s ability to improve the lives of working Americans and diminish our country’s role in the world.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal: “Cruel”
“There is only one way to describe the Trump budget — cruel. It pulls the rug out from under people who are already struggling to make ends meet.”
Rep. Derek Kilmer: “I will fight back against this completely irresponsible plan.”
“Puget Sound is an iconic body of water that is vital to our economy and to who we are as Washingtonians … The President’s budget does not reflect this. President Trump has pledged to work for clean water and good jobs but his proposal would devastate efforts to restore shellfish beds, revitalize salmon runs, and recover the Sound for future generations. The federal government needs to be a partner in making the Sound healthy again. As Vice Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee I will fight back against this completely irresponsible plan.”
Rep. Denny Heck: “I look forward … to prevent these thoughtless cuts.”
“While I’m frustrated the Trump Administration continues to attack critical funding for Puget Sound recovery, the Constitution gives Congress the ‘power of the purse,’ not the President… My colleagues on both sides of the aisle have shown concern regarding the President’s budget proposal, and I look forward to working with them to prevent these thoughtless cuts.”
Governor Jay Inslee: This budget is a betrayal of American values.”
“The federal budget proposed by President Trump would be an enormous step backward for our country. It shamefully pulls the rug out from under the most vulnerable Americans — including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities — to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans… This budget is a betrayal of American values.”
Democrat Congressman Rick Larsen has yet to comment on Trump’s proposed budget. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is the only Republican in the delegation to have weighed in on the President’s budget telling The Spokeman Review, that it is “just a proposal.” The highest ranking female Republican went on to say, “The President has made very clear that national security and defense are his top priorities, and this budget reflects that.”
