Here Are the Biggest Costs and Cuts in Terms of Congressional Spending
Back in March, Trump proposed a rather wild budget plan that would put an end to a number of important programs . This is where it has happened now, as Congress is set to approve the spending plan this week.
Trump has proposed some pretty big cuts and spending, such as a $ 2.6 billion advance payment for the border wall, the elimination of 19 federal-funded agencies, and $ 54 billion in additional spending. In other words, it was an unusual proposal .
With the threat of government closure, Congress rejected some of the more significant changes and came up with a new spending agreement . This is difficult to navigate, but the Washington Post conveniently breaks down the costs here by different agencies. Overall, however, the agreement includes $ 12.5 billion in new military spending and an additional $ 1.5 billion for border security. Here are some of the more significant additional costs you should be aware of:
- Border Security : The new plan is keeping Trump from funding this ridiculously expensive wall he has proposed. However, this adds $ 1.5 billion in border security, which will be spent on renovating the existing fence and adding new technologies such as drones to monitor activity along the border. Separately, the Customs and Border Control Service will also receive another $ 137 million for 2017.
- Airport Security : If the bill is accepted, the TSA will receive $ 331 million to hire additional staff. Last year, they fell by almost 6000 spectators, and given the fact that more people are flying than ever before, the money (hopefully) will speed up the verification process , which is good, although it requires a fairly expensive.
- Funding for the Arts : The National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities will receive a $ 2 million increase. No, this is not a large amount compared to other programs, but considering that these programs were at the turn, this is a significant change.
- Security for the Trump Family: The bill will also pay $ 120 million over the next four months to protect the Trump family . This includes $ 61 million in payments to local law enforcement officials, allegedly in New York (Trump Tower) and Palm Beach (Mar-a-Lago), where President Trump often travels. The Secret Service will also receive an additional $ 60 million. Of that $ 60 million, $ 23 million will go to protect Trump Tower, where First Lady Melania Trump and Trump’s son Barron live. If this sounds like a ridiculous amount to spend on security, it is because it is .
The bill included some good news about learning in college (for a change). Pell Grants will grow from $ 5,775 to $ 5,935.
In addition, politicians call it a “bipartisan victory” in part because the funding for many other programs will remain the same, and Trump’s plan wanted to get rid of them entirely. However, there are a few more serious abbreviations:
- Department of Education : They will receive $ 1.2 billion less than last year. Nonetheless, the Post reports that academic support for students and special education have indeed seen “modest growth.”
- SNAP : Supplemental Nutrition Program Gets $ 2.4 Billion Cut.
- Justice Department: They will receive a $ 143 million cut, but certain agencies will see an increase, including the FBI, DEA, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
These are just the basics, and there is a lot more going into the overall plan, including specific rules, so be sure to read the Washington Post breakdown in full .
The bill is expected to be passed by Congress later this week, and it will cover the costs until September. At this point, we will need to see what the expenses will look like in the next fiscal year. If you want to reach out to members of Congress and tell them what is important to you, here’s how to do it .