Washington (February 27, 2017) – Senator Edward J. Markey, a member of the Foreign Relations and Environment and Public Works Committees, released the following statement today after President Donald Trump instructed federal agencies to develop budgets for Fiscal Year 2018 that would increase spending at the Department of Defense, while drastically cutting domestic agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“This so-called security budget proposal from President Trump is nothing but a love letter to the defense industry and its gold-plated contractors at the expense of working families.  

“Donald Trump's proposal is an insecurity budget, cutting the programs that create safety and prosperity for the American people. Slashing foreign aid will make America less secure from threats abroad. Gutting the EPA will make Americans less secure that the air they drink and water they breathe will be clean‎.

“The bottom line of Donald Trump's budget proposal: the rich get richer and the rest can just get lost.

“Providing support to our military is critical as it works to fight terrorism abroad, but it must be done in a responsible manner. We cannot balance our budget at the expense of the security of millions of Americans. I will continue fighting for a budget that benefits all families.”