Maine’s two representatives in Congress are critical of several budget cuts in President Trump’s proposed budget. Democratic Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says the budget is dead on arrival, and like past budgets of Presidents of both parties, it will be substantially rewritten by Congress. She says several proposed cuts would be bad for Maine, and the nation.
“There are several that would hit our state, I shouldn’t forget LIHEAP, the assistance for heating oil that is critical in a winter like this where it has been cold. It’s across the board,” Pingree said. “It feels like they are using cuts in domestic programs, the EPA, the arch programs the NEA, public broadcasting, TIGER grants for transportation, just you go right down everything that’s critical to our communities. And It feels like they are using that to fund tax cuts and build a wall.”
In a statement, Republican Congressman Bruce Poliquin says while he is pleased the budget emphasizes national security, he shares the concerns about deep cuts to home heating assistance and programs that aid the elderly.
