PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S proposed 2017-18 budget calls for big increases in defense spending.

President Donald Trump revealed his proposed 2017-18 budget on Thursday, containing big increases in spending for the military and homeland security and big cuts elsewhere.

As previously announced this budget is calling for a 9 percent increase for the Department of Defense, amounting to $54 billion.

Also proposed is a 7 percent increase for the Department of Homeland Security and a 6 percent increase for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Increases in defense spending would enlarge the size of the Army and Marine Corps, increase the number of ships in the Navy, allow for the faster purchase of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and increase spending for Air Force combat readiness.

Proposed reductions include:

• 31 percent cut for the Environmental Protection Agency
• 29 percent cut for the Department of State
• 21 percent cut for the Agriculture Department
• 21 percent cut for the Department of Labor and
• 18 percent cut for the Department of Health and Human Services.

A total of 19 government agencies would lose funding entirely, including:

• Corporation for Public Broadcasting
• National Endowment for the Arts
• U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

The budget would have to be approved by Congress to go into effect.