Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Tuesday that President Trump’s first budget was “dead on arrival” and wouldn’t make it through Congress.
“It’s not going to happen,” said Graham, according to NBC News. “It would be a disaster.”
Graham, a frequent Trump critic, expressed concerns with Trump’s proposed cuts to the State Department budget, especially the targeting of foreign aid.
Sen. Graham on Trump budget proposal for State Dept. budget cut: “It’s dead on arrival. It’s not going to happen. It would be a disaster.” pic.twitter.com/EeRNr6Gcmy
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) February 28, 2017
{mosads}Trump will propose $54 billion in cuts to fund an equivalent boost in defense spending, White House officials said Monday. The administration will make massive cuts from the Environmental Protection Agency and State Department, even though both of their budgets combined barely come close to the Trump’s proposed defense hike.
Graham said significant State Department cuts would endanger American Foreign Service officers.
“A budget this lean would put those who serve overseas for the State Department at risk,” said Graham. “And it’s not going to happen.”
Trump’s first budget proposal, slated to be released March 16, lacks key details but is already stoking bipartisan concern.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee members in both parties have spoken out against Trump’s proposed foreign aid cuts, defending the necessity of funding development projects in needy nations.
“Foreign Aid is not charity,” tweeted Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). “We must make sure it is well spent, but it is less than 1% of budget & critical to our national security.
“The aid we provide to countries around the world directly advances U.S. national interests by fostering a safer and more stable world,” said Sen. Christopher Coons (D-Del.)