Trump's budget plans to cut foreign aid draws criticism
President Donald Trump's budget outline has drawn sharp criticism even from fellow Republicans. From the onset, the budget proposes a "security-heavy realignment of federal spending" while cutting the foreign aid and diplomatic programs. The budget also drew objection globally. Francois Delattre, the French ambassador to the United Nations, said that cutting funding of global programs could be detrimental and may fuel instability.
Trump's 'hard power' budget to build US defense
Trump introduced the 'hard power' budget which is expected to rattle not just Democrats but Republicans too. His principal action being termed "America First" is a spending plan to boost defense outlays by $54 billion. However, this comes at the cost of cutting the same number from nondefense aids. State Department stands to lose 28% spending and 25% funds from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Agencies that stand to face the axe
The budget recommends cutting every federal department other than the Department of Homeland Security and the Pentagon. The Environmental Protection Agency would be severed by almost a 3rd; agriculture, labour, education and commerce to a 5th. Others facing the axe include NASA's climate research budget. The National Endowment for the Arts and the Legal Services Corporation might be closed down altogether.
Trump stays true to election promises
Trump's budget director, Mick Mulvaney said that Trump was keeping his election promises where he's said that he would spend less on "people overseas and more money on people back home". Apart from the 2018 budget, Trump administration's requested budget would accommodate $1.5 billion allocations for his proposed "great wall" along the US-Mexico border.
Why the budget may not see the light of day?
In order to get his 'skinny budget' approved, Trump would have to repeal/overturn sequestration (which means automatic cuts to defense and discretionary spending). In doing so he would be faced with the threat of a 'Senate filibuster.' This would entail Trump's administration wooing some of Democrats. This cannot take place unless the current budget figures are overhauled which would mean losing Republican votes.
