Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-639-6405/202-374-6491
[email protected]
WASHINGTON – American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. issued the following statement on the budget blueprint released by the White House:
“This budget shirks our nation’s responsibility to care for its citizens and ensure the public’s health and safety, help our struggling neighbors secure better jobs and safe housing, and promote democracy around the world.
“The budget proposes to eliminate or reduce funding for hundreds of programs and entire agencies that have a very real impact on the lives of all Americans. This includes programs that help create American jobs in economically distressed communities, clean up vital waterways like the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay, help cities and towns prepare for potential terrorist attacks, and spur research into cures for deadly diseases.
“In many cases, the Trump administration is simply sending the bill for these vital programs to cash-strapped state and local governments or even businesses themselves – who in turn would have to pass the costs onto taxpayers to keep these programs running.
“The severity of the budget cuts proposed by President Trump could require mass layoffs of employees at federal departments and agencies, although the budget blueprint released by the White House does not detail how many federal employees could lose their jobs.
“These cuts, if implemented, would have devastating and lasting consequences on the nation. Every American should study the facts, reject the rhetoric, and decide for themselves if they share the bleak vision of America that President Trump is promoting.”
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