WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have joined forces against the deep cuts President Donald Trump has planned for American diplomacy and foreign aid.
Forty-three senators have released a letter saying that deep cuts “would be shortsighted, counterproductive and even dangerous” at a time when the U.S. faces numerous security challenges around the world.
Trump has proposed slicing roughly $10 billion from the 2018 budget for the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development. The cuts would help pay for a surge in U.S. military spending.
The letter’s organizers are Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois and Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana. It went to leaders of the Senate Budget and Appropriations committees.
Meanwhile, President Trump has fired off a series of tweets attacking Democrats over the spending bill in Congress.
Lawmakers from both parties are trying to work out differences to avoid a government shutdown. Amid tense negotiations, Trump went on a Twitter tirade Thursday, saying Democrats are blocking health care for miners and could close National Parks with a shutdown.
Trump also says Democrats want “illegals to pour through our borders” and are “jeopardizing the safety of our troops.” He promises to “rebuild our military and secure our border” while “Democrats want to shut down the government.”
A temporary funding bill expires Friday at midnight. Republican leaders expect to pass legislation this week to keep the government open through May 5.
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