The Republican Congress just agreed on a budget that, if enacted into law, would add $1.5 trillion to the federal deficit over the next 10 years.

What incredible hypocrisy. When the Republicans are out of power they loudly, and incessantly, criticize budget deficits. As soon as they regain power, they propose a budget that greatly increases the deficit.

The Republican budget suggests we take $2 trillion away from vital public programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which provide access to healthcare for many millions of Americans. A 2009 Harvard study found that 45,000 Americans die each year because they lack health insurance, yet the Republican budget cuts Medicaid by $1 trillion and Medicare by almost $500 billion.

Trump promised to protect Medicare and Medicaid. He lied.

Congressional Republicans passed this budget in order to enable them to introduce a tax-cut plan that hands over the vast majority (more than 2/3s) to millionaires and billionaires. The Center for American Progress Action Fund finds that the president and his cabinet combined would receive billions of dollars in tax reductions, with the president alone receiving a whopping $23 million.

The president’s response after being asked if he’ll benefit under his tax-plan: “No, I don’t benefit. I don’t benefit. In fact, very very strongly, as you see, I think there’s very little benefit for people of wealth.”

Some middle class taxpayers would receive relatively small tax cuts, but others would pay more. The lowest income earners could expect as much as a whole $80, but they would lose much more in benefit cuts to programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

Fred Upton voted to support this fiscally irresponsible and immoral budget. Sen. Debbie Stabenow voted against it (as well as the Republican healthcare plan that only 17 percent of the country approved of).

Please remember these facts when you cast your vote in 2018.

Damon Wolf

Benton Harbor