Rep. Brad Schneider Responds To President Donald Trump's Budget Blueprint

DEERFIELD, IL — In response to the release of the White House's outline for a 2018 budget, Congressman Brad Schneider (D, IL-10) released the following statement Thursday:

“The budget blueprint President Trump delivered to Congress today is not just ill-conceived, but it is incredibly short-sighted with draconian cuts that mortgage the future success of our nation. The budget shows no vision to grow the economy, rebuild our infrastructure, or offer a rising standard of living for American families, instead gutting the essential programs that form the very foundation of our continued prosperity.

“For education, the budget cuts funding by more than $9 billion, including a callous reduction to Pell Grants that help our nation’s neediest students pursue a higher education and critical skill training programs to help workers find good-paying jobs.

“The health of the planet we will pass on to our children is disregarded with a drastic 31 percent cut to the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency, including the wholesale elimination of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

“Our international diplomatic efforts are undercut by a proposed 29 percent reduction in funding for the State Department at a time when America’s leadership overseas and engagement with our allies is more critical than ever.

“This budget does not at all reflect the priorities of the Tenth District, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to work together to instead pass a budget that invests in our future by educating our children, funding infrastructure, and supporting American diplomatic engagement overseas.”