Leader Schumer, Senator Murray Statement On President Trump’s Expected Rescissions Request

Washington, D.C. — Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following joint statement on the rescission request President Trump is expected to submit to Congress this week:

“Let’s be honest about what this is: President Trump is looking to go after PBS and NPR to settle political scores and muzzle the free press, while undermining foreign assistance programs that push back on China’s malign influence, save lives, and address other bipartisan priorities. The Trump administration continues to take their eye off the ball and is not focused on helping lower middle-class families’ costs. Instead, they are pursuing political retribution to appease the most right-wing factions. They are blowing up the national debt to give the wealthiest few and biggest corporations huge tax breaks while ripping health care away from millions of Americans. Donald Trump’s misplaced priorities are exactly why Americans have quickly turned on his presidency.

“If Republicans choose to go along with this rescission package, they will follow Trump at their peril. The power of the purse is one of Congress’s most fundamental Constitutional responsibilities. Democrats will not allow Republicans to play games with the budget.”

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