February 12, 2018

Castro Statement on Trump’s 2019 Budget Request

Washington, D.C.–Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today released the following statement on President Trump’s 2019 budget request:
 
“The President’s 2019 budget request perpetuates the Republican plan to cut taxes for the rich, intensify the budget deficit, and demand cuts to programs that working class Americans rely on. It calls for a 21% cut for the Department of Health and Human Services and a 10.5% cut for the Department of Education, endangering the Infrastructure of Opportunity that makes the American dream possible. This budget is antithetical to building a better today for a more prosperous tomorrow.
 
“Instead, Trump’s proposal continues political campaign promises that divide Americans, shift the economic burden onto the shoulders of working families, and recede American leadership on the global stage. The $18 billion demand for a border wall goes against what Americans want as border security. The infrastructure investment of $200 billion over ten years to spur $1.3 trillion in state and private investments is unworkable and not a serious plan. And the proposed 26% cut to the State Department and United States Agency for International Development puts our sons and daughters at risk and shows a dangerous misunderstanding of diplomacy, development and foreign affairs.
 
“The President’s goal should be to create opportunities for all Americans. But it’s clear that Trump prioritizes the most fortunate over working families, immigrants, and other vulnerable people. If enacted into law, these cuts would have a disastrous impact on job security, health, safety and security of our communities, and the United States’ leadership role around the world. We must do everything in our power to stop this misguided proposal and protect the future of our country.”
 
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