Democratic U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos of Moline says President Donald Trump's 2020 budget as proposed would effectively undermine "the health and wellbeing of seniors and families."
Trump released on Tuesday his budget blueprint, which calls for billions more in defense spending and billions less in domestic programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Bustos says the cuts go against Midwest values, including what she calls "lending a helping hand to our neighbors in need" and "rewarding the dignity of hard work."
Bustos sits on the House Appropriations Committee, regarded as one of the most powerful committees in Congress because it funds the full scope of federal programs.
The Trump administration says the country can no longer afford many existing programs, which it calls wasteful and inefficient.
Bustos, however, says the President's budget proposal would add more than $4 trillion to the national debt over the next four years.
Presidential budget proposals of the current and past administrations are generally considered to be political wish lists, as it is Congress that ultimately appropriates funds.