The so-called skinny budget is an outline of administration priorities that will give Republican appropriators in Congress a blueprint to begin crafting spending bills. Trump is also pushing the Republican-controlled Congress to extend the 2017 tax cuts enacted in his first term, which nonpartisan forecasters say could add US$5 trillion to the nation’s debt.
Republican US Senator Susan Collins, the chamber’s top appropriator, reacted coolly.
“This request has come to Congress late, and key details still remain outstanding. Based on my initial review, however, I have serious objections,” Collins, of Maine, said. She cited concerns that defence spending was too low and worried about cuts to programs to help low-income Americans heat their homes.
“Ultimately, it is Congress that holds the power of the purse,” Collins said.
Source: CNA
