Meehan: White House Budget Request "Reflects a Different Set of Priorities"

Statement

Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.) today issued the following statement on the White House's budget request:

"Budgets are about priorities, and the budget request submitted to Congress today reflects a different set of priorities than the ones I've set," said Congressman Meehan. "There are some things to like in this budget. It includes $500 million in additional funding to combat the opioid crisis. It adds funding for veterans' health care. It also includes good news for the workers at Boeing's facility in Delaware County: it replaces a V-22 Osprey lost in combat in Yemen earlier this year."

"But I also have some serious concerns," Meehan said. "It reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health. It includes significant cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency, which may hamper its ability to protect our air and drinking water. And it cuts federal protection for national parks and federal lands by 75 percent, which could endanger conservation efforts in Pennsylvania at sites like Gettysburg National Military Park."

"Ultimately, I expect Congress will take the White House's request into consideration -- but the Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse. As the budget process continues, I'll keep on fighting to ensure we're both making good use of taxpayer dollars and funding the services and programs important to Pennsylvania families," Meehan said.

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