Trumps Detailed Budget Proposals Spark Congressional Conflict Over Spending Cuts

Federal agencies have started submitting detailed budget proposals to Congress, outlining President Donald Trump’s plan for significant spending cuts. These proposals expand on the initial “skinny budget” sent to Capitol Hill earlier this month, specifying which programs Trump aims to reduce or eliminate entirely. The budget seeks over 22% in non-defense funding cuts and maintains a flat military budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services have detailed their requests for budget reductions. Notable cuts include $12 billion from federal education programs, $5 billion from agriculture efforts, and over $60 billion from health, housing, and community development initiatives.

Senior Republican members of Congress have already criticized Trump’s budget request, indicating a potential conflict between Capitol Hill Republicans and the Trump administration. The extent of congressional Republicans’ willingness to cut federal programs will become clearer next week when House GOP appropriators plan to introduce the first of several annual funding bills.

The White House has not threatened to veto funding bills that exceed Trump’s request but has not ruled out using “impoundment” to withhold congressionally approved funding. This tactic has drawn ire from Republican lawmakers who argue it is illegal under a 51-year-old law designed to prevent presidents from undermining Congress’s “power of the purse.”

Any government funding legislation reaching Trump’s desk will likely require Democratic support in the Senate, where Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faces pressure to resist drastic cuts. Attracting Democratic support may necessitate higher funding levels, prompting opposition from House Republicans. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole has acknowledged that securing Democratic support in the Senate will likely cost him Republican support in the House.

Lawmakers from both parties aim to pass updated funding levels and secure earmarks for specific projects in their districts, avoiding another stopgap measure like the one passed earlier this year.