Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org or 202-670-5585
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Yesterday, the House Budget Committee advanced a budget plan which would raise the budget caps on discretionary spending for 2020 and 2021 by 5.7%, or $34 billion. The move is necessary to ward off the regressive sequester cuts that would slash federal support for critical public health, safety, and other programs by over $125 billion.
This Budget resolution comes as a rejection of slash and burn cuts to critical programs which were the centerpiece of the Trump proposal last month. In stark contrast, the House budget emphasizes the importance of protecting public health and safety, as well as programs supporting employment, education, and housing. Trump's cuts, meanwhile, would disproportionately hurt low-income families and other vulnerable members of our society. Programs like the Low-Income Housing Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) that play a critical role in helping families pay energy bills during times of extreme weather were once again eliminated from the budget. Legislators on both sides of the aisle support these programs.
If the budget caps are not raised and Trump’s budget plan is approved, a large portion of these cuts will be forced onto states and localities that will have no choice but to shutter programs that protect clean air and clean water.
Many other programs that benefit the health, safety, and prosperity of all Americans will be at risk unless the Senate finds bipartisan agreement to raise budget caps for 2020 and 2021.
In Response, Sierra Club Legislative Director Melinda Pierce Released the Following Statement:
“While Trump proposes to slash funding for critical clean air, clean water, and other environmental protection efforts for the third year in a row, the House Budget committee just advanced a responsible budget plan that will fund the programs that protect the health and safety of everyone in America. This is a model approach that the Senate, and the whole House, should adopt as the federal budget process moves forward.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.