Trump’s Budget, a Complete Disaster for Wildlife and the Environment

June 9, 2017

President Trump’s long-awaited full budget was released recently and it is evident that the details of his much-anticipated and repeatedly touted draconian cuts to government programs rely heavily on stripping away environmental protections. Among the most alarming propositions contained in the budget is the president’s proposal to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling and (no surprise) fund his infamous border wall. The so-called “New Foundation for American Greatness” budget will in fact destabilize and dismantle critical conservation programs, human health regulations, clean air and water programs, scientific research, and climate change initiatives—a “great” America is the last thing this budget will create. Moreover, in many cases, the cuts are even worse than shown in the President’s budget since the budget documents were compared to the temporary spending bill (the fiscal year 2017 Continuing Resolution) that was in effect up until May of this year. The final FY 2017 omnibus appropriations bill—signed in May—provided increases for many conservation programs.