Washington, D.C. – Today, the President released a 2018 budget proposal with massive cuts to social safety-net programs, science, agricultural, and other institutions vital to Alabama communities. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) releases the following statement:

“President Trump's budget takes aim at working families, rural Americans, the disabled, underserved communities, and those who struggle to make their voices heard in our democracy,” said Rep. Sewell. “Leaving those Americans behind is not only a failure in compassion, it is utterly short-sighted when it comes to growing our economy and making America competitive. In areas like healthcare, education, agriculture, and research, Trump's budget will have devastating consequences for Alabama. What makes our country great is our willingness to extend a hand up to those who need it most, and that's a value which Trump's budget cuts.”

Over the next decade, President Trump’s budget would slash more than $1.4 trillion from Medicaid, a health program covering nearly 70 million Americans. The budget also cuts $192 billion from nutritional assistance, and $72 billion from disability benefits, and would eliminate loan programs which subsidize college education for low-income families. Trump’s proposal would cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by more than $5 billion. Federally subsidized crop insurance would face a 36 percent cut, and President Trump’s budget proposes elimination of USDA’s rural economic development program and defunds the Delta Regional Authority and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

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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.