Proposed Trump budget hikes defense, cuts into Medicare

<p>President Donald Trump sent his first budget proposal to Capitol Hill today.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

May 23, 2017, 3:56 PM

Updated 2,700 days ago

Share:

President Donald Trump sent his first budget proposal to Capitol Hill Tuesday.
The $4.1 trillion plan increases defense spending and funding for Homeland Security, as well as sets aside $1.6 billion for a border wall with Mexico. 
The plan would cut $3.6 trillion from highway funds, student loan subsidies, food stamps, the Affordable Care Act and Medicare. 
Joan Solinto, of Malverne, says the plan would deeply affect her 39-year-old son with cerebral palsy. He has a home health aide and medical supplies through Medicaid. 
"You'd have to be heartless to look at someone like Phil...and cut their benefits," says Solinto. "God only knows what he will be losing." 
While some Democrats are decrying the cuts, some Republicans are praising them. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-1st District) says he takes issue with some of the president's proposed cuts but tells News 12, "Unlike President Obama's budgets, this budget actually balances."
Regina Jones, who works with AHRC in Nassau County, says the agency – which helps developmentally disabled people get into the workforce – relies heavily on federal funds that are on the chopping block in Trump's budget. 
"I don't know where I'll be without this place," says Jones. 
The president's budget plan does feature a handful of domestic initiatives, including a six-week paid parental leave program championed by Trump's daughter, Ivanka.
News 12 has recently updated to a brand new version of our iOS and Android apps. If you don't have auto updates enabled on your devices, head to the App Store or Google Play Store to update to the latest version. This will ensure you keep getting up-to-date local news, traffic and weather information.