Trump promises ‘historic’ $54 bn increase in military spending
HUGE! Foreign aid, other discretionary programs to face cuts
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Monday teased a budget plan that includes a substantial increase in defense spending and cuts in foreign aid.
Previewing a plan that will attempt to translate campaign promises into dollars and cents, Trump promised a “public safety and national security budget.”
An administration official said that Trump’s plan would include a $54 billion increase in defense spending and a corresponding decrease in nonmilitary programs.
“Most federal agencies will see a reduction as a result,” the official said.
There will also be a “large reduction in foreign aid,” he added, on condition of anonymity.
The proposal, which will be picked over and must ultimately be approved by Congress, would increase defense spending -- already the largest in the world -- by almost 10 percent.
Trump claimed that his budget “follows through on my promise on keeping Americans safe.”
“It will include a historic increase in defense spending.”
His comments come a day before he addresses a joint session of Congress, an important agenda setting event for new presidents.
The initial outline did not include proposals for mandatory spending or tax proposals, which make up the bulk of outlays and receipts.
The budget is a keystone statement of Trump’s priorities for the coming years.
The nearly four trillion dollar annual federal budget is a declaration of intent that puts the president’s policy goals down in black and white.
It also separates affordable campaign promises from the fanciful and is the final arbitrator after turf wars between departments and powerful interest groups. — AFP