New Budget: Donald Trump Seeks to Increase Military Spending by 9%
President Donald Trump is seeking to boost defense spending by $54 billion in his proposed budget plan for 2018, which is about a 9% increase.
The blueprint also calls for deep cuts elsewhere, including to foreign assistance and environmental budgets.
However, President Trump’s plan leaves large welfare programs such as Social Security and Medicare untouched, despite Republican calls for reform.
Donald Trump is expected to release his final budget proposal in mid-March.
He said in a meeting with governors at the White House on February 27: “We’re going to do more with less and make the government lean and accountable.”
President Trump, who vowed to increase military spending and preserve welfare programs during his campaign, said the budget will focus on “military, safety, economic development”.
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He said: “It will include an historic increase in defense spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America at a time we most need it.”
Military spending has declined in recent years due to budgetary battles in Congress that led to a defense sequester.
Donald Trump’s proposal would return the United States closer to wartime spending.
He also said he would discuss his plans for infrastructure spending, in a speech to Congress on February 28.
“We’re going to start spending on infrastructure big,” he said.
Donald Trump did not say how his budget proposal will tackle mandatory spending and taxes, promising those details to come later.
He pledged to cut taxes during his presidential campaign, which would likely add to the national debt.
Military spending has declined in recent years due to budgetary battles in Congress that led to a defense sequester.
The White House sent President Trump’s 2018 budget blueprint, which begins on October 1, to federal agencies on February 27.
The agencies will then review the plan and propose changes to the cuts as the White House prepares for negotiations with Congress.
The Republican-controlled Congress must approve any federal spending.
Donald Trump’s plan is expected to face backlash from Democrats and some Republicans over cuts to domestic programs.