Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement on President Trump's first budget proposal:
"President Trump's budget is a series of broken promises to the people of Pennsylvania. Instead of keeping his commitment to fight for the middle class and Pennsylvania communities who deserve a fair shot, President Trump is pursuing the agenda of far right Congressional Republicans.
"President Trump promised to pursue a substantial investment in our infrastructure- not only has he failed to put forth a plan but this budget cuts infrastructure programs that have created jobs in Western Pennsylvania by repairing aging locks and dams. President Trump campaigned on helping urban communities, but students in Philadelphia will be adversely impacted by the elimination of after school programs. Southeastern Pennsylvania is at the forefront of the kind medical research that drives cures while creating jobs, yet this budget decimates the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which funds that research.
"This budget would eliminate the Community Development Block Grant Program, which communities across Pennsylvania, particularly rural ones, use to invest in job-creating projects. This plan would eliminate the Rural Water and Wastewater Loan Program, which is the only way that some rural communities in Pennsylvania have access to clean water. This budget would also eliminate the Essential Air Services Program, meaning that airports in Johnstown and Northwestern Pennsylvania could be shuttered. How does that make it easier for these communities to create jobs?
"President Trump should keep his promise to stand up for and create jobs for middle class families in counties like Erie, Luzerne, York and Beaver, instead of going along with far-right Republicans in Congress.”
