1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Vote no on Trump's $1.5 trillion defense budget request. This 44% Pentagon increase funds an illegal war of choice against Iran that Congress never authorized while gutting programs Americans actually need. Trump admitted his priorities at the White House: "We're fighting wars. We can't take care of day care." That's exactly backward. We shouldn't be fighting this war at all, and we certainly shouldn't slash healthcare, housing assistance, and low-income heating aid to pay for it. His budget cuts 12% from Health and Human Services, 13% from Housing and Urban Development, and eliminates refugee aid while pouring money into a conflict that serves no defensive purpose. Congress rejected Trump's massive non-defense cuts last year and kept spending flat. Do it again. This budget is a blank check for an unauthorized war paid for by taking food assistance, job training, and healthcare research from working families. The deficit excuse rings hollow when the administration wants to spend nearly twice what we're cutting on military expansion. I expect you to oppose this reckless budget and any appropriations bill that funds Trump's war while destroying the social safety net.