By Howard Packowitz
Both of Illinois’ U.S. Senators visited McLean County Friday warning that proposed Trump Administration spending cuts will have dire consequences.
Democrat Tammy Duckworth focused on the impact budget reductions will have on Central Illinois farming communities during a visit to Illinois State University’s farm in Lexington.
“Cuts are across the board,” Duckworth told our news partner, WMBD-TV.
“They’re everything from nutritional programs such as SNAP, through to crop insurance programs, through to rural water initiatives, to even programs that bring broadband into farming communities,” she added.
Democrat Dick Durbin focused on Medicaid cuts during an appearance at Bloomington High School. He said the GOP healthcare bill and Trump’s budget would slash 60-million dollars in Medicaid funding over the next decade.
In Illinois, Durbin said Medicaid provides health care screenings for one-point-five million lower income kids. He said lawmakers can come up with a better solution.
“Can you sit down on a bipartisan basis and improve the law? Yes we can and should,” Durbin said.
“And, I think if you ask most people regardless of party, they say that’s what we expect of you,” Durbin also said.
As a Senate leader, Durbin is entitled to receive security, but he told WMBD he doesn’t think he needs it here in Illinois despite this week’s Virginia shooting that critically wounded a House leader.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
