Proposed cuts in Trump budget take aim at key NY programs

WASHINGTON — In making the case for federal budget cuts, the Trump administration is again pointing to a familiar target — New York.

President Donald Trump recently released his $2.2 trillion budget proposal for next year, which calls for boosting defense spending to a record $1.5 trillion while slashing overall funding for domestic programs by 10%. The 92-page fiscal wish list, released last week, mentions New York several times when arguing why certain programs should be cut, accusing it and other blue states of mismanaging programs.

Local lawmakers from both parties are pushing back on some of the proposed cuts, offering a preview of the challenges ahead for Trump in getting his budget road map passed without changes.

The proposed cuts include eliminating the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which currently provides financial aid for heating and cooling costs to 1.5 million New York households, including 70,000 on Long Island.

The proposed budget also calls for the elimination of the $3.3 billion Community Development Block Grant program, which has long been used by municipalities to build affordable housing and improve blighted neighborhoods, and cutting $393 million in federal funding for homeless programs.

Trump, speaking to supporters during an Easter luncheon at the White House on April 1, two days before his budget plan was released, spoke about prioritizing defense spending amid the war with Iran, which is currently under a fragile ceasefire agreement.

"It’s not possible for us to take care of day care, Medicaid, Medicare, all these individual things," Trump said at an event initially billed as private that was mistakenly livestreamed on the White House website and later taken down. "They can do it on a state basis. You can’t do it on a federal. We have to take care of one thing: military protection. We have to guard the country."

The budget proposal, shepherded by Trump’s top budget official, Russell Vought, has faced pushback from congressional budget negotiators from both parties. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in statement the budget proposal has "several shortcomings," listing the cuts to LIHEAP as an example. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said Trump "is proposing a budget that will only make the cost-of-living crisis worse."

Members of Long Island’s congressional delegation have raised concerns about some of the cuts, particularly to the heating and cooling assistance program that the administration tried unsuccessfully to eliminate last year and as well as during Trump's first four years in office. Those attempts failed amid bipartisan pushback, and lawmakers told Newsday they’re prepared to fight again for the program.

"Cutting LIHEAP is the wrong approach for those already struggling with high energy costs, especially in high-cost regions like Long Island, where energy bills can be a real burden," said Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) in an email to Newsday. Garbarino noted that during past attempts to cut the program he has led a bipartisan effort in support of maintaining its funding.

In trying to eliminate the program for a sixth time, the White House Office of Budget and Management in its proposal argues, "The program rewards States such as New York and California, two of the top recipients for LIHEAP funding, which have implemented anti-energy and anti-consumer policies that drive up home energy prices."

OMB officials did not respond to an email seeking comment on which policies they were referring to.

Gov. Kathy Hochul in a statement to Newsday, said the cuts would be "devastating for the more than 1.4 million New York households who rely on" the program and called on New York congressional Republicans to "protect their constituents they were sent to Washington to represent."

"From illegal tariffs to gutting health care for millions of Americans, and now the War with Iran, Donald Trump and Washington Republicans continue to make life harder and more expensive for hard-working families," Hochul said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), in an email to Newsday, called Trump’s latest budget "a gut punch for Long Island families and seniors already stretched thin by soaring energy costs."

"LIHEAP is what keeps the heat on during the coldest months of the year, and Trump wants to rip it away while his reckless war in Iran drives up energy bills," Schumer said, adding that Democrats would vote against any such budget plan.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), in a statement to Newsday, said "spending more money on his war of choice in Iran while making cuts that spike the costs of health care and energy bills here at home show the president’s priorities are all wrong."

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville), noting he is "the only Northeast Republican on the House Appropriations Committee," told Newsday in a statement that last year he helped secure support for an additional $20 million in funding for the LIHEAP program, but he also blamed Hochul and state lawmakers for not doing enough to keep energy prices down.

"I will continue fighting to support LIHEAP so Long Island families can afford their energy bills and stay safe," LaLota said.

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) in a statement said the president campaigned on a promise to "rapidly reduce prices," but now "he has targeted New York and other perceived ‘enemies’ for retribution by cutting programs that help families manage utility bills, health care costs, and food costs, while reducing funding for housing, pollution cleanup and research and development. My constituents want the president and Congress to focus on the cost of living."

Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) in a statement said, "Preserving and protecting our national security is crucial. So too is ensuring American families can heat their homes, access clean drinking water and afford necessities like health care and housing.

"Instead of cutting essential programs, the Administration should work with Congress on a bipartisan basis to make life more affordable for the American people," Gillen said.

Asked about the concerns raised by lawmakers, the White House deferred questions to the Office of Budget and Management, which did not respond.

By Laura Figueroa Hernandez

laura.figueroa@newsday.com@Laura_Figueroa

Laura Figueroa Hernandez is the White House correspondent and previously covered New York City politics and government. She joined Newsday in 2012 after covering state and local politics for The Miami Herald.