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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) released the following statement after the President released a budget proposal for fiscal year 2021 that would drastically cut spending for Medicare, Medicaid, and other domestic programs.

“The President’s proposed budget takes our country in the wrong direction. What he has proposed is a real threat to the health and economic security of all Americans and abandons the bipartisan, long-term budget agreement he signed in August.

“In front of Congress and the nation, President Trump promised in his State of the Union to protect Medicare and social security. Yet, his budget proposes cutting half trillion from Medicare and $24 billion to Social Security. The Trump Administration is choosing to hurt millions of hard-working men and women.

“At the same time President Trump promised he would protect the healthcare of hard-working men and women; his budget proposal slashes $1.6 trillion in healthcare investments and his Administration is fighting in court to fully repeal the Affordable Care Act. Once again going back on that promise. Every American has the right to quality, affordable healthcare – this is a right I will fight to protect with every ounce of my being.

“Disturbingly, the agencies receiving the deepest cuts are the ones critical to protecting American’s access to clean water and infrastructure. As an example, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency are vital to protecting the Great Lakes and updating our water infrastructure in Michigan and across the country. This budget cuts critical funding for them at a time when PFAS contamination is spreading and water infrastructure is crumbling, these cuts are the wrong direction.

“Democrats and Republicans in Congress agree we must protect our national security. We can make smart, strategic budget proposals that support our national security, while at the same time supporting programs that help the well-being of hardworking men and women.

“Now it is our job in the Congress to come together as Democrats and Republicans. We can and must put together a budget and statement of values that reflects everything that makes our country great and puts the government to work for the people.”

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