WASHINGTON – With the release of the 2018 federal budget proposal, the Trump administration has made public and has made plain, its priorities for our nation. The Trump vision for America is one that sacrifices children, families, the sick and the disabled in exchange for tax breaks for the very rich, and giveaways to trillion-dollar corporations.
People’s Action, which has affiliates in 29 states fighting for the interests of poor and working-class households, is opposed to the Trump administration’s budget and is outlining an alternative vision of a budget that serves the needs of ordinary Americans and lifts families out of poverty.
“The Trump administration budget proposal is cruel to the point of absurdity,” said Liz Ryan Murray, policy director for People’s Action. “Under the guise of ‘personal responsibility,’ this budget is a naked grab for every cent the wealthy can hoard for themselves and their uber-rich friends.”
The People’s Action policy team has compiled a chart comparing the Trump budget to our vision for a nation that meets everyone’s basic needs, regardless of their age, ability, financial or immigration status.
“Our vision is clear, we will not accept this budget or be fooled by a bait-and-switch down the road when we are offered ‘compromise’ congressional budgets that promise a kinder, gentler gutting of our families and communities,” said Ryan Murray.
President Trump’s budget takes away Medicaid for families, children and veterans. It guts educational opportunities for low-income students at every age, from preschool to college. It endangers the planet with funding cuts that will halt the cleanup of our most toxic sites.
Going backwards is not an option. We need to expand the supports people need and no amount of cutting will get us where we need to be.
Find the full chart comparing Trump’s budget to the People’s Action vision here:
People’s Action Policy Director Liz Ryan Murray is available for interviews.
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People’s Action was formed last year in a rare merger of five national organizations, each with decades of organizing and activism history, creating one of the largest grassroots, people-powered networks in the country. People’s action is more than a million people across 29 states working for economic, racial, gender and climate justice – and to ensure everyone a voice in our political system.