Trump budget cuts would end dozens of agencies
Hundreds of departments could be reduced or eliminated entirely
President Trump’s proposed budget would slash domestic programs.
While many big departments would take percentage spending cuts in the double digits, dozens of smaller agencies would close. Their cut is 100 percent.
Many programs such as the Delta Regional Authority in Clarksdale have backers in states and cities across the country — and their champions in Congress.
“The president’s beholden to nobody but the people who elected him, and yes, I understand that every lawmaker over there has pet projects,” said Trump budget director Mick Mulvaney. “That’s the nature of the beast.”
He said not every program would disappear overnight. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting might still get some federal funding in 2018, for example.
Trump’s budget says hundreds of programs and agencies would be eliminated. His first budget proposal identified 62 specifically. Here are some of them: Department of Agriculture Water and Wastewater loan and grant program ($498 million). “Rural communities can be served by
private sector financing,” the budget says.
McGovern-Dole International Food for Education program ($202 million): No evidence it reduces food insecurity, the budget says. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration ($221 million): The Trump budget says it has “limited measurable impacts and duplicates other federal programs.”
Minority Business Development Agency ($32 million): Duplicates the Small Business Administration. Department of Education Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants program ($2.4 billion): Says the White House: “poorly targeted and spread thinly across thousands of districts with scant evidence of impact.”
21st Century Community Learning Centers program ($1.2 billion): “The programs lacks strong evidence of meeting its objectives, such as improving student achievement,” the budget says.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program ($732 million): . The Trump administration says Pell Grants are available.
Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program ($190 million): Aids students with disabilities or limited English proficiency.
Teacher Quality Partnership ($43 million): A teacher training and recruitment grant program.
Impact Aid Support Payments for Federal Property ($67 million): Reimburses schools for lost tax revenue from tax-exempt federal properties.
International Education programs ($7 million): This funds exchange programs, migrant schools and special education services abroad. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects AgencyEnergy ($382 million): Funds research the private sector bypassed.
Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program: This fund provides anti-global warming loans.
Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program: “The private sector is better positioned to finance disruptive energy research and development and to commercialize innovative technologies,” the White House says.
Weatherization Assistance Program ($121 million): The energy efficiency program grants homeowners up to $6,500.
State Energy Program ($28.2 million): Grants money to states for energy efficiency and climate change programs.
Department of Health and Human Services
Health professions and nursing training programs ($403 million): Trump favors scholarships and student loans inexchange for service in areas with a nursing shortage.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program ($3.4 billion): Helps elderly and low-income people pay energy bills.
Community Services Block Grants ($715 million): The White House says this duplicates emergency food assistance and employment programs.
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Community Development Block Grant program ($3 billion): Block grants over 42 years have surpassed $150 billion. “The program is not well-targeted to the poorest populations and has not demonstrated results,” Trump’s budget says.
Section 4 Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing program ($35 million): The White House says private funding can step up.