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Trump’s budget ‘grave mistake’: Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton delivers remarks at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, March 31, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has criticized President Donald Trump’s proposed budget plan, calling it a “grave mistake.”

“(It) should alarm us all,” Clinton said of Trump’s budget plan in a speech about the importance of women in politics at Georgetown University on Friday.

“We are seeing signals of a shift that should alarm us all. This administration's proposed cuts to international health, development and diplomacy would be a blow to women and children and a grave mistake for our country,” She said. “Turning our backs on diplomacy won't make our country safer.”

The blueprint, which was unveiled earlier this month, introduces cuts to contributions to the United Nations and dozens of its affiliated agencies.

Trump’s proposal also included a $54 billion cut to education, healthcare and housing, as well as the State Department’s funds to make up for an increase of the same amount in military expenses.

Clinton, who served as secretary of state under former President Barack Obama, said the cuts would only make America less secure and undermine its standing in the world.

US President Donald Trump speaks about signing executive orders on trade policies in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, March 31, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

The Trump White House has also proposed similar cuts to fund his wall on the border with Mexico. During the presidential campaign, Trump vowed that Mexico would pay for the wall designed to keep illegal immigrants from entering the United States. The Mexican government has strongly rejected the claim.

Both Democrats and Republicans have already rejected parts of the blueprint, making it difficult Trump to win Congress’ approval.

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“I don't think these reductions at the State Department are appropriate because many times diplomacy is a lot more effective — and certainly cheaper — than military engagement,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

To show how divided Republicans were on the budget, Clinton quoted Trump’s Defense Secretary James Mattis, who once said cutting funds for the State Department means he has to buy more ammunition.

Congress should enact the spending legislation to fund federal agencies by April 28 to prevent a government shutdown.


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