During Donald Trump's campaign for the presidency, he promised the people of America that he would aid poor inner city areas and low-income households. But his proposed budget, announced March 23rd, seems to eliminate many programs that have helped these very communities for years. This new budget does not help these communities as was promised but could have some pretty negative effects on America's low-income households.
Donald Trump's proposed budget would take away funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, that in turn provides funding for the local "Meals on Wheels" groups. Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers meals to individuals at home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals (like the elderly or disabled). Cutting spending could leave any without meals—this being their only means of feeding themselves.
The proposed budget also cuts funding for the Federal Pell grant by $3.8 billion, and eliminates many other such grants, that provide federal financial support for low income undergraduate students. Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos praised the proposed budget. She said that it “continues support for the nation’s most vulnerable populations” while “streamlining and simplifying funding for college and continuing to help make college education more affordable.” The Pell Grant is one of the biggest aids to low income college students. It's deduction could make it a lot harder to find ways to pay for college.
After school programs and free lunch could also be affected. White House budget chief, Mick Mulvaney defended the elimination of a large federal after-school program at a press conference last week. He was quoted on March 16th saying: “They’re supposed to be educational programs, right...That’s what they’re supposed to do, they’re supposed to help kids who can’t — who don’t get fed at home, get fed so that they do better at school. Guess what? There’s no demonstrable evidence they’re actually doing that. There’s no demonstrable evidence they’re actually helping results, helping kids do better at school.”
I just have to insert here how bogus I think this sounds. I for one, cannot study whatsoever if my stomach is growling. And isn't this somewhat missing the point? Children are getting fed who without this program, won't get breakfast.
The proposed budget, would significantly cut funding from federal agencies that assist poor people in urban areas, most of which are also minorities. These agencies include the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
You can view Trump's complete budget proposal here.
