Trump’s budget proposal includes cutting $292 billion from Medicaid and the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly referred to as food stamps). Funding cuts for the Environmental Protection Agency and education are also included within the proposal. Over a trillion dollars would be cut from both subsidies for the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid combined. Funding for SNAP would also be cut by approximately $180 billion over the next nine years.
However, funding for defense and Veterans Affairs would rise. If the budget plan were to be passed as is, the Veterans Administration would become the second largest federal agency with a projected budget of approximately $249 billion, according to the Military Times.
“I have also made an ironclad pledge to American families: We will always protect patients with pre-existing conditions—that is a guarantee,” Trump said during his State of the Union address. “And we will always protect your Medicare and your Social Security.”
“Two days ago: ‘We will not be touching your Social Security or Medicare in Fiscal Year 2021 Budget.’ -Trump,” tweeted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s political Twitter account, Team Pelosi. “Today: #TrumpBudget proposes $800 billion in cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Pass it on.”
Remember last week when Trump promised at his #SOTU speech that he would protect Medicare and Social Security? Neither does he," tweeted CNN political commentator Keith Boykin. “The new #TrumpBudget cuts Medicare by $850 billion and Social Security by $30 billion.”
“Trump’s immoral budget is full of reckless and cruel cuts to health care, education, housing, basic food assistance and more,” tweeted California Democratic Representative Barbara Lee. “All while funneling billions to a xenophobic boarder wall. Congress must and will reject it. #TrumpBudget”
Trump’s proposals would also slash funding to the Environmental Protection Administration by 26 percent, a suggestion which caught the attention of the Sierra Club, an environmental advocacy group.
“‘Trump does not care about the air we breathe or the water we drink,’” read a tweet from the Sierra Club’s account, “‘and he is willing to sell them out to the highest bidder. Make no mistake, the public does not want dirtier air or unsafe water. That’s why Congress must protect the critical programs and agencies that safeguard public health and safety from Trump by rejecting this budget and anything like it.’ #TrumpBudget”
“The #TrumpBudget announced today is atrocious,” tweeted California Representative Mike Levin. “$800 billion in cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Drastic cuts to environmental protection and the total elimination of advanced clean energy research. No real plan to deal with deficits or debt. All around a travesty.”
“Savage cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, children’s health care, food stamps, education & more… If there was a category at the Oscars for best horror film, the #TrumpBudget would win,” tweeted New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez.
Trump’s budget would have to be approved by the Senate before becoming law but observers doubt it will pass the House of Representatives which is currently controlled by a Democratic majority.
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.