Congresswoman Pingree released the following statement on President Trump’s full budget proposal to Congress and outlined the most devastating cuts to Maine.
“President Trump's budget shows just how empty and cynical his campaign promises actually were—this is a terrible deal for working families. In Maine, we’ve seen the consequences of starving the social safety net of funding—Mainers have gone hungry, our state’s opioid epidemic has worsened, and for the first time in years, the infant mortality rate has increased.
“Cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security programs, and LIHEAP will devastate families across our state who rely on these programs to survive. At the same time, this budget cuts other programs that help Americans succeed. From slashing student loan relief to zeroing out rural infrastructure programs, the Trump Administration is out of touch with the challenges of hardworking Americans.
“The fact is that 1 in 7 Mainers rely on SNAP benefits to put meals on the table; student loan relief is a necessity for millions of Americans because the cost of higher education is out of reach for working families; and Medicaid is a lifeline for Mainers seeking to age with dignity in long-term care facilities, those with disabilities, and low-income children, families, and veterans.
“President Trump has presented an infeasible plan that strips away foundational programs in order to build an unnecessary border wall and provide tax giveaways to millionaires, for which our grandkids will pay for decades to come. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will be asking his administration how on earth they can justify this egregious disregard for the realities of the American people.”
Pingree outlined the cuts that would be most devastating to Maine.
Environmental Protection Agency
A 30 percent cut at the Environmental Protection Agency means that Maine would lose approximately $4 million in state program cuts alone. Other eliminated programs that benefit Maine include the Radon Program, Lead Program, Beach Protection, Environmental Education program, and National Estuary Program.
Department of Transportation
Elimination of TIGER grants, a program that has funded multiple bridge replacement projects in Maine—including both Memorial and Sarah Mildred Long bridges in Kittery.
Elimination of funding for Essential Air Service, which ensures that small rural airports have flight service. Airports in Augusta, Bar Harbor, Rockland, and Presque Isle received $10 million in assistance in 2015.
Department of Homeland Security
Funding will be taken away from FEMA and the Coast Guard—a critical rescue service along Maine’s coast—to build a multi-billion dollar border wall with Mexico.
Health and Human Services
A $1.36 billion cut at the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) affects public health preparedness and chronic disease prevention.
The National Institutes of Health sees $6 billion in cuts for medical research, including over $1 billion cut from the National Cancer Institute.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) budget includes $386 million cut from mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention efforts in the middle of the state’s opioid epidemic.
The budget proposes $610 billion in cuts to Medicaid over 10 years, entirely separate from the $880 billion proposed cut through Affordable Health Care for America Act.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) sees a $2.3 billion cut in 2018 and a $3.3 billion cut in 2019.
Elimination of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which offers assistance to nearly 40,000 elderly and low-income Mainers.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The $1 billion in cuts to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would completely eliminate several programs critical to the health of Maine’s coast, including the National Estuarine Research Reserve System—which supports Wells Estuarine Reserve—the National Sea Grant program and Coastal Management Grants.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA has an overall cut of 21%, which is a $4.8 billion cut from FY17. Within that, specifically there are devastating cuts to Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) with a $4.875 billion cut.
The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program has a $5.6 million cut. Maine has received over $5 million to support 184 projects under SARE to develop innovative strategies to farm sustainably.
The National Organic Program has a $925,000 cut which will jeopardize the USDA’s ability to maintain organic integrity.
There are also deep cuts to rural development programs which support infrastructure, housing, and business development. For example, Value Added Producer Grants , the Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas Program, and the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program are eliminated. At the same time, the Rural Energy for America Program and the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program will have no discretionary funds provided. Also, Section 502 Direct Homeownership Loans, Section 514/516 Farm Worker Housing Loans and Grants, Section 523 Mutual and Self-Help Housing, and Section 504 Rural Housing Assistance Grants are all eliminated.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD cuts will worsen the affordable housing crisis and take away housing assistance from those who need it most. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, HOME Investment Partnerships program, Choice Neighborhoods grants, Section 4 Capacity Building program, and Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program are all eliminated. In CDBG alone, Maine received $16 million last year to support job creation, community development, and infrastructure improvements.
Other
Elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
