Bowling and pizza: Trump’s budget plans
Donald Trump’s budget director offered up a tasty treat to conservative lawmakers on Tuesday night: bowling and pizza at the White House. The move was designed to grease Congressional wheels ahead of the administration’s fiscal plans, which will be unveiled on Thursday. But Mr Trump will need to offer far more than ten pins and a slice to get his ambitious budget passed.
Except for a $54 billion boost to the armed forces, the new administration has remained tight-lipped on its spending (and saving) plans. However, pundits agree that large cuts to the budgets of the Environmental Protection Agency and State Department are to be expected on Thursday.
Like many of those who held the office before him, President Trump will have a hard time getting his fiscal measures passed. It is the legislature, not the White House, that has final say over public spending and, with some Republicans already coming out against what they anticipate the administration will announce, prospects look bleak.
Among the dissenting voices is Senator Lindsey Graham, who opposes the reported 30% cut to the State Department and labels the budget “dead on arrival”. With a mere four-seat Senate majority, Graham’s objection could make things difficult for the Republican President.
