Connecticut Democratic lawmakers have reviewed President Donald Trump”™s $4.1 trillion federal budget proposal and, perhaps predictably, didn”™t like what they saw.
“While we continue to analyze its impact on the state, it is abundantly clear that President Trump”™s budget is abysmal for working Americans,” said Gov. Dannel Malloy. “In an effort to provide his wealthy friends tax breaks and fund his own unpopular projects, the president is devastating critical environmental programs, undercutting important educational initiatives, and decimating human services programs to the detriment of the sick, elderly and poor.”
“The president”™s budget further destabilizes the health care marketplace and cuts funding where it”™s most needed ”“ children”™s health, behavioral health, and Medicaid,” said Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, who chairs the state”™s health insurance exchange Access Health CT.
“These reductions reverse progress on programs that are working ”“ programs that improve lives and productivity,” she said. “The cuts also directly damage the ability of the elderly, people with disabilities and low-income residents to get care. The budget shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how important public health is, as well as the health care economy.”
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called the budget “harmful.”
“If President Trump’s budget ever became law, it would devastate Connecticut,” he said. “It slashes funding Connecticut uses to provide children with health care, help college students pay for tuition, care for the elderly and fight the worsening opioid epidemic.
“Quite literally, if Congress passes Trump’s budget, seniors would be kicked out of their homes and heroin addicts would be kicked out of treatment,” Murphy continued. “They say a president’s budget is a reflection of his values ”“ if these are President Trump’s values, then everyone in this country should be sickened.”
“This budget is absolutely stunning in its cruelty,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “It is a gigantic bait and switch ”“ betraying President Trump”™s campaign promises by giving humongous benefits to the wealthy and the back of the hand to the most vulnerable Americans.”
Echoing Wyman”™s and Murphy”™s concerns about health care cuts, Blumenthal added: “Most obviously, President Trump”™s promised $1 trillion infrastructure plan is ominously missing. Instead, he completely eliminates programs that support millions of jobs in Connecticut ”“ and countless more across the country ”“ while leaving our bridges and roads to crumble in disrepair.”
“Our goal should be a budget that expands economic opportunity in Connecticut and across the country, lifts wages, promotes access to health care, protects our air and water, supports children and seniors, and makes us safer,” said U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty. “On these counts, President Trump”™s proposal moves us in the wrong direction. Congress should start over from scratch on a bipartisan plan.”
