US Senate minority leader slams Trump's 2027 budget request

WASHINGTON

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Friday slammed President Donald Trump’s proposed budget, calling it “rotten to the core” and vowing that Democrats will block it from becoming law.

"A budget is like an X-ray: it shows what’s really going on inside," Schumer said in a statement. "Donald Trump’s budget is rotten to the core, and Democrats will make sure it never passes."

His remarks came after Trump on Friday proposed a record $1.5 trillion in defense resources for fiscal year 2027, the highest defense budget request in US history, while also calling for sharp cuts to domestic spending.

According to budget fact sheets released by the White House ahead of the annual budget proposal, the plan includes $1.15 trillion in discretionary defense spending and an additional $350 billion in mandatory resources, bringing the total defense budget to $1.5 trillion.

At the same time, the administration is seeking a 10% reduction in discretionary non-defense spending, equal to about $73 billion, as Trump renews his push to scale back domestic programs while expanding military outlays.

Schumer pointed to what he described as a "record-breaking" $1.5 trillion in defense spending, contrasting it with proposed reductions in areas such as energy, housing affordability, and education.

He also criticized the administration’s broader economic policies, saying they have contributed to rising costs for essentials like groceries, gas, housing, and health care.

"Trump’s budget has one message for the Americans struggling with skyrocketing costs: he doesn’t care," the Democrat said.

The Democratic leader vowed unified opposition from his party, signaling a contentious battle ahead in Congress over federal spending priorities.

“Democrats will fight this budget tooth and nail to ensure it never becomes law,” Schumer said, adding that Republicans who support it risk political backlash.

Trump has faced falling approval ratings amid the US war on Iran, now into its second month, while the public struggles with price hikes, contrasted with Trump's campaign pledge to bring prices down "on day one."

'This is not a serious budget'

Democratic Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized Trump’s proposed budget, calling the plan “unjustified,” pledging close scrutiny in Congress.

"This is not a serious budget. From what little information we have, this flawed, irresponsible proposal is unjustified and fails to acknowledge the negative impacts of Trump’s Iran war and faltering economy," he said in a statement.

Reed also warned that beyond the submitted budget, the administration could seek additional emergency funding tied to ongoing military operations, further increasing overall defense spending.

Reed vowed to work with lawmakers from both parties to develop what he described as a more responsible and strategic approach to national defense funding.

“I will not rubber-stamp a bloated, undisciplined budget,” he said. “I will work with my colleagues on a bipartisan basis to carefully scrutinize every penny.”