President Trump has asked Congress to cut $54 billion from federal agencies to fund defense spending. Here are the agencies that would see the biggest cuts under the White House proposal:
1. EPA — 31.4 percent cut
The budget calls for cutting Environmental Protection Agency spending by $2.6 billion. The reduction would include ending funding for the Clean Power Plan, eliminating funding for regional efforts like a Great Lakes restoration program, and much more.
2. State Dept., USAID, Treasury International Programs — 28.7 percent cut
State and USAID would see a $10 billion cut from last year’s level. While funding for embassy security and diplomatic duties wouldn’t be crimped, foreign aid and support for multilateral organizations would be.
3. Dept. of Agriculture — 20.7 percent cut
The Department of Agriculture would be slashed by $4.7 billion, with cuts to a range of programs.
4. Dept. of Labor — 20.7 percent cut
The Department of Labor would lose $2.5 billion in funding, with cuts to some job training programs.
5. Health and Human Services — 16.2 percent cut
The Department of Health and Human Services would see a $15.1 billion reduction, and the National Institutes of Health would see a $5.8 billion cut.
6. Dept. of Commerce — 15.7 percent cut
The Department of Commerce would lose $1.5 billion through cuts to grant-making programs.
7. Housing and Urban Development — 13.2 percent cut
HUD would get a $6.2 billion spending cut, reflecting the elimination of a number of programs, including Community Development Block Grants.
8. Dept. of Transportation — 12.7 percent cut
The Department of Transportation would lose $2.4 billion, including cuts to Amtrak and privatization of the Federal Aviation Administration.
9. Dept. of Interior — 11.7 percent cut
The Department of Interior would see $1.5 billion lower spending, with cuts to “duplicative” grants and fewer land acquisitions.
10. Dept. of Energy — 5.6 percent cut
The Energy Department’s budget would be chopped by $1.7 billion, which would fall on research programs and interventions at the state level.
11. Dept. of Treasury — 4.4 percent cut
Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s Treasury Department would only lose $519 million in funding, through cuts to some of the IRS’ functions that the administration sees as “antiquated” and workforce reductions.
12. Dept. of Justice — 3.8 percent cut
Trump would boost funding for the FBI and some other law enforcement agencies, but get savings from eliminating some ineffective programs and increasing bankruptcy fees.
Spending increases: Defense, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs
Trump’s budget would use the savings from other agencies to increase funding at the Pentagon by 10 percent, or $52.3 billion.
Homeland Security would get a 6.8 percent boost, or $2.8 billion.
The Department of Veterans Affairs, meanwhile, would get $4.4 billion more, an increase of 5.9 percent.
