Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) slammed President Trump’s federal budget proposal, which would hurt San Diego’s economy and put a larger burden on working families. The budget proposes deep cuts to clean air and clean water protections, scientific research funding through the NIH and NOAA, affordable housing programs, and infrastructure investments – including the elimination of grants to improve sewage infrastructure along the U.S.-Mexico border. It would also hit working families by reducing eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit, gutting Medicaid by almost half over the next decade, and cutting resources for the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Rep. Peters released the following statement on President Trump’s budget proposal:

“The economic opportunities of the next generation in America depend on keeping our lead in science and technology and embracing the clean energy revolution.

“President Trump’s budget makes it clear he knows how to make reckless cuts in order to pay for big tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, but not how to invest in priorities that strengthen America and create good-paying jobs.

“President Trump wants to take a meat axe to medical and energy research funding and leave our researchers in San Diego with fewer resources to innovate and create the jobs of the future. President Trump is proposing to gut programs from Medicaid to housing assistance that give working families the opportunity for them and their children to succeed.

“Even with the boost in defense spending – which I support – this budget is a bad deal for San Diego. Congress has the power of the purse, and I will work to reject these cuts, but this proposal is a pretty clear indication of who President Trump stands with, and who he doesn’t.”

Rep. Peters continued by commenting on how Trump’s proposal to eliminate funding for infrastructure improvements along the U.S.-Mexico border would lead to more sewage spills, “San Diego’s congressional delegation – Republicans and Democrats – has urged the Trump administration to make these sewage spills a priority and provide resources and oversight. Clearly they are not listening. Our region needs these infrastructure investments to help prevent sewage spills that threaten our economy and our way of life, and I am going to fight to defend them from President Trump’s cuts.”