President Trump Releases Another Deeply Harmful Budget, Democrats Pass Legislation to Make Government More Transparent and Open

Press Release

MESSAGE FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER

On Monday, the Trump Administration released its budget for Fiscal Year 2020. Once again, the President has put forward an irresponsible, unserious budget proposal that was dismissed as dead on arrival. It puts our country at risk of another shutdown by demanding a border wall that Congress has already rejected. It also extends the GOP tax scam, proposes repeal of the Affordable Care Act once again, cuts Medicare and Medicaid, and uses a budget gimmick that makes it more difficult for our military to plan in the long-term. Instead of pursuing this reckless proposal, Congress ought to work toward an agreement to lift budget caps that limit our ability to make investments in our nation's future so we can responsibly fund both our defense and non-defense priorities for the next fiscal year.

This week was recognized as Sunshine Week, and House Democrats took a number of steps to increase government transparency and openness. Last Friday, we passed H.R. 1, a comprehensive government reform package to restore our democracy and clean up corruption in Washington. Building on that effort, we passed a number of bills this week to modernize government, encourage transparency in financial transactions, and shine light on Russia's malign activities around the world. Yesterday, Members on both sides of the aisle came together to pass a resolution to express a sense of Congress that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russia's efforts to undermine our elections should be made available to the American people and Congress. I hope the Senate will take up and pass that resolution soon.

I was also pleased that House Democrats introduced two bills this week that I look forward to bringing to the Floor for a vote in the coming months. We introduced the Dream and Promise Act, which will protect Dreamers and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) by ensuring they have a pathway to citizenship. We also introduced the Equality Act, which amends the Civil Rights Act to prevent LGBT discrimination in employment, education, access to credit, jury service, federal funding, housing, and public accommodations. Following committee consideration, the House will vote on these priority bills.

Sincerely yours,

Steny H. Hoyer

P.S. Please invite your friends and family to sign up for this newsletter to learn about what House Democrats are doing to lead America in a new direction. You can also get the latest updates and join the conversation on my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.

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