Washington, D.C. – Today, the President released a preliminary 2018 budget proposal with massive cuts to science, agricultural, and jobs programs, as well as other institutions central to Alabama’s economy. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) releases the following statement:

“The budget that the President proposed today would be devastating to the economy and people of Alabama,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “Deep cuts to medical research are going to have a lasting impact on our state’s leading research institutions such as UAB and Southern Research Institute. The budget slashes funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, putting our state’s rural communities and farmers at risk. And when it comes to fighting poverty and helping struggling Alabamians, this budget leaves working families out in the cold. What the Trump Administration proposed today is not just short-sighted, it’s insulting to hard-working Americans who voted for someone who promised he would look out for their interests. I am a strong believer that our investments in infrastructure, science, and job growth can help our nation compete in today’s global marketplace, and I strongly oppose this budget’s cuts to some of our nation’s most powerful economic drivers.”

Many details are missing from the abbreviated budget released Thursday, including how many jobs would be eliminated across the federal government and the full cost of the President’s proposed border wall. The Trump Administration is expected to release its full budget in mid-May.

Proposed budget cuts impacting Alabama students, families, and workers include:

• $6 billion in cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH funds 20 Alabama institutions, investing over $290 million dollars in Alabama.
• $4.7 billion in cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $3.8 billion to support affordable housing, create jobs, and promote economic opportunity for those who live, work, and raise their families in rural Alabama.
• Major cuts to the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), putting funding for many Alabama coastal projects at risk.
• Elimination of funding for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). CDBG has funded more than 4,000 projects across Alabama with the goal of supporting low-income families.

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition