Trump’s First Budget Could Be A Unique Mix of Severe Cuts and Increased Spending - Defense One
Now that President Donald J. Trump has been sworn in as the 45th commander-in-chief, his next major task is unveiling a fiscal 2018 budget proposal for federal agencies that reflects his America First vision for the government.
Crafting a budget proposal for Congress to review and debate is always a top priority for the president, especially a new one. Trump’s inaugural budget will be the first look federal employees, lawmakers, and the rest of us get at the president’s detailed agenda and how he plans to pay for it.
“There is no 2018 template sitting there for the new administration,” said Ed DeSeve, co-chair of the National Academy of Public Administration’s Transition 2016 Program. DeSeve is a veteran of presidential transitions and has served at the Housing and Urban Development Department as well as the Office of Management and Budget. Trump, DeSeve said, has a challenge ahead of him, “especially given the fact that he doesn’t have experienced hands.”
Trump’s nominee for Office of Management and Budget Director is Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., who serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. As a lawmaker, he has been vocal about budget issues, especially cutting spending and balancing the budget.
