Senate Votes Against Trump-Supported Government Spending Cuts of $15.4 billion

On Wednesday, the Senate voted to block the Trump-supported $15.4 billion cut in government spending. The cut was passed by the House of Representatives in early June, and if it had been voted in by the Senate, would have included funds that were already confirmed and approved.

The Senate’s decision ignores Trump’s arguments, which stated that the cuts were to money that was never going to be spent in the first place. The vote margin was 50-48, which included two Republicans who voted against the spending cuts.

One of the recent decision’s deciding factors is the fact that Republicans passed a substantial tax cut last year in face of an overly-expensive spending bill during March. If this latest proposed cut had moved forward, it would have damaged bipartisan negotiations, according to Democrat leaders.

Senator Partick Leahy stated: “This rescissions bill undermines the bipartisan budget deal that we struck just four months ago. If we go forward with this package, another will follow, and another, and another, and another, even further undermining the agreement.”

The White House argued that the spending would only cut out $3 billion of the actual budget.

While many Republican politicians have praised the House’s previous decision, most Democrats stated their concern, as the cut could end up hurting future projects that need funding. The most dangerous aspect of the proposed cuts was the fact that Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was deemed to be an unnecessary fund, which could have resulted in less coverage for children if demand was higher than expected.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise attempted to counter the concern for the CHIP program by stating:

“[the House] overfunded the CHIP program, and so as that surplus money was identified, we made sure that that money will be able to be used to reduce the deficit and go to other things.”

Scalise also made reference to the fact that most politicians who oppose the cuts in the program were opposed to its creation in the first place.

The passing of Trump’s cuts would also have caused a conflict with current projects to create more jobs.

Representative Nita Lowey noticed this and stated:

“The nearly $15 billion in rescissions cut numerous efforts to create jobs, grow our economy, and strengthen our communities. It cuts funding for the economic development administration, and for community development financial institutions. Both of which create jobs in rural areas and distress communities.”

Lowey also commented on the planned cuts for CHIP, stating that,

“Targeting CHIP for a rescission prevents Congress from reinvesting in other priorities like child and maternal health, early childhood education, biomedical research and our community health centers.”

Alongside Lowey, several other Democrats have come forward throughout the last month to highlight the importance of CHIP; why the public should be more aware of its existence, and the way it supports the American people.

The President promoted the decision to cut spending prior to the House’s ruling, stating on Twitter:

“The HISTORIC Rescissions Package we’ve proposed would cut $15,000,000,000 in Wasteful Spending! We are getting our government back on track.”

 Trump also used the House’s decision as an opportunity to blame the spending on Democratic senators.

He tweeted: “Imagine how much wasteful spending we’d save if we didn’t have Chuck and Nancy standing in our way! For years, Democrats in Congress have depleted our military and busted our budgets on needless spending, and to what end? No more.”