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.
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.