Rep. Jenkins Statement on President's Budget

Statement

U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) issued the following statement today on the release of the president's budget:

"While I appreciate the president's aim to cut wasteful spending, this budget goes too far in critical areas for West Virginia. The proposed cuts to our safety net programs, including Medicaid and SNAP, would hurt too many of our state's most vulnerable citizens, and I cannot support this budget proposal.

"The budget also proposes eliminating programs crucial to West Virginia's economic development and diversification -- the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Economic Development Administration. We need to do more to attract new industries to our coalfields and invest in our infrastructure, and these two programs have a track record of success in West Virginia.

"As our state struggles to recover from eight years of devastating economic policies, we cannot make harsh cuts to these programs while our families are getting back on their feet.

"I do, however, appreciate that the White House heard my concerns and restored funding for the Office of National Drug Control Policy and other anti-drug trafficking programs. I urged the White House to reconsider eliminating these programs, and I am glad to see they stopped these devastating cuts.

"The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse, and the House Appropriations Committee will start work soon on next year's funding bills. As a member of that committee, I will fight for West Virginia's priorities and make sure the bills include funding for vital programs for our state."

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