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Brooklyn Democrats say Trump budget will damage country

March 22, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler charged that President Donald Trump's budget is absurd. AP Photo
U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler charged that President Donald Trump's budget is absurd. AP Photo
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The budget unveiled recently by President Donald Trump’s administration, which included deep cuts to programs like Meals on Wheels, is being denounced by Brooklyn Democrats at all levels of government as being draconian and harmful to working men and women.

U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan-Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst) went so far as to say that the president’s budget is absurd.  

“This budget completely eliminates Community Development Block Grants, which help working families stay in safe, affordable housing and supports programs like Meals on Wheels that provide food to the sick and elderly. The Trump budget would also eliminate programs to help low-income and older Americans afford heat in winter,” Nadler said in a statement.

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Borough President Eric Adams called the Trump budget irresponsible and said it would be a mistake for Congress to adopt it.

“The White House is calling for gutting agencies that perform critical services for all Americans, residents of big cities and small towns alike. From our schools to our environment, from the arts to health care, this proposed budget does everything but make America great again. With our most vulnerable neighbors at risk, we must turn our anxiety into action. I urge all Brooklynites to organize against this dangerous plan and ensure Washington hears loudly and clearly what we expect from a responsible government, regardless of what political party is in power,” Adams said.

The proposed budget, as outlined by the White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, calls for increases in defense spending, homeland security and veterans’ programs, but also advocates for steep cuts to agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the State Department.

Under Trump’s plan, funding would also be cut from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and programs like Meals on Wheels, which delivers hot meals to the homebound elderly.

New York City’s lone Republican congressional member, U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-C-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island), is urging his constituents to remain calm amid all of the talk of massive budget cuts.

While Trump can propose a budget, it is up to Congress as to whether the president’s ideas are adopted, Donovan said.

“The budget blueprint document released from the White House is step one in the negotiating process. Congress has the power of the purse and will make final funding determinations,” Donovan said.

Donovan also said he will fight to ensure that New York City receives enough funding to protect the city from terror attacks.

“My position on the critical importance of consistent security funding for New York City hasn’t changed since President Obama’s proposed cuts last year. I remain committed to fighting to protect resources for the world’s top terror target,” Donovan said.

Nadler, who is adamantly opposed to the Trump spending plan, urged fellow House members to reject it.

“Everyone should oppose this budget, which doesn’t even achieve Republicans’ long-stated goal of deficit reduction, but does threaten the lives of every single American,” Nadler said.


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