In addition, on March 16 President Trump released his budget framework for 2018 funding as well as recommendations for funding for the remaining months of fiscal year 2017. The 2018 framework proposes dollar-for-dollar cuts in domestic spending to fund a proposed $54 billion increase in defense spending. The framework does not provide detailed agency spending levels, as is common with newly elected presidents? budgets, because agency leadership are not yet in place. However, the framework proposes an $11.6 billion budget for the Department of the Interior which is a 12 percent cut. The most dramatic cut for environmental spending is seen in the Environmental Protection Agency, that would be funded at $5.7 billion, a 31 percent cut including eliminating funding for the Chesapeake Bay and Great Lakes restoration initiatives. Specific proposed agency spending levels are anticipated in a more detailed budget that will be released in May.

The Trump budget proposal is raising concerns on Capitol Hill and both sides of the aisle are expressing reservations about whether the budget will pass as written. House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen released the following statement: ?Our Committee will take a close look at the budget and supplemental requests we received today. As directed under the Constitution, Congress has the power of the purse. While the President may offer proposals, Congress must review both requests to assure the wise investment of taxpayer dollars. Over the next several weeks, our Committee will work quickly to complete the 2017 Appropriations bills, analyze and make decisions on supplemental funding for national and border security, and begin the task of funding the federal government for 2018. I?m optimistic that we can strike a balance that will enable us to fund the federal government responsibly and address emergency needs, while ensuring this legislation will clear the Congress.?