Huge Cuts Coming To Food Stamp Program In Trump’s Budget Proposal

President Donald Trump’s budget would drive millions of Americans — including Virgin Islanders — off of food stamps, according to Mr. Trump’s budget blueprint, which will be out on Tuesday.

But the budget, which comes with extensive spending cuts, is already getting hammered on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers from both parties panning the proposal.

If Mr. Trump’s budget were to pass as is, however — a highly unlikely scenario — Virgin Islanders who depend on food stamps, known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, would be greatly affected. According to data provided by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands in its 2014 USVI Kids Count Data Report, 31 percent of the territory’s children lived in poverty, while another 67 percent were on food stamps.

Food stamps would see a whopping $193 billion cut over the coming decade, or 25 percent under Mr. Trump’s proposal. The cut would be implemented by cutting back eligibility and imposing additional work requirements, according to talking points circulated by the White House. SNAP currently serves roughly 42 million people. The food stamp cuts are also several times larger than previous attempts by Republicans a few years ago.

Mr. Trump’s proposal would also slash deep into Medicaid, a program created by the federal government, but administered by states, to provide payment for medical services for low-income citizens.

All in all, the Trump budget would slash spending by $1.7 trillion over a 10-year period from so-called mandatory programs, according to The New York Times, citing people familiar with Mr. Trump’s budget. That includes cuts to refundable tax credits paid to the working poor, and cuts to pensions for federal workers and high contributions toward those pension benefits.

Tuesday’s budget will also include proposals such as a $200 billion infrastructure plan that Trump officials say could leverage, along with private investment, up to $1 trillion in construction projects, paid leave for parents after birth or adoption of a child, and funding for Mr. Trump’s wall along the Mexico border.