U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., who represents Homewood and Flossmoor in Congress, released this statement concerning President Trump’s budget request released May 23:
This budget can be summed up in one word: awful.
It takes food out of the mouths of babies, takes heat away from seniors and takes the security of crop insurance from our farmers.
It’s awful for the families struggling to make ends meet.
It’s awful for seniors who paid into Social Security with the promise that it would take care of them.
It’s awful for public safety as it slashes critical investments in our law enforcement.
And it saddles us with unnecessary and expensive Pentagon “projects” that our generals argue are unneeded.
Congress needs to lead with a responsible budget that looks out for our families, farmers, communities and brave men and women in uniform.
While I appreciate the inclusion of paid family leave in the president’s budget, it’s a small, solidarity flower embedded in a nest of thorns. Congress can and must pass an independent paid family leave bill that allows workers to earn paid time off.
I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in actively opposing this awful budget and commit to working for a responsible budget that creates jobs and invests in American families and communities.
