Washington, DC—Below is a statement from Columbia Mayor and President of the United States Conference of Mayors Steve Benjamin in response to President Trump’s proposed rescission package:

“President Trump’s proposal to strip $15 billion from an already-approved spending bill and gut social safety net programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will be disastrous for cities from coast to coast. It will be especially detrimental to the children and young people whose very health depends on these programs, and devastating to their families who work hard to budget for such necessities. Slashing essential programs to compensate for deficits that were brought on by reckless budget cuts and excess spending elsewhere, is the kind decision-making that could only come from Washington.

“Mayors across the country, from both parties and from cities large and small, urge Congress to oppose this proposal. The programs that keep our communities healthy, prosperous and safe deserve to be safeguarded from partisan politics.”