Trump push to scale back welfare programs has Republicans on edge

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

#POLITICS JANUARY 4, 2018 / 7:06 AM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO

Trump push to scale back welfare programs has Republicans on edge

Richard Cowan, Susan Cornwell
5 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Emboldened by his victory in the passage of the biggest U.S. tax overhaul in decades, President Donald Trump now wants to rein in social welfare programs even though some Republicans are wary of tackling the volatile issue in a congressional election year.

A White House-led drive to downsize government aid programs such as food stamps and housing subsidies would energize conservative campaign donors whose support Republicans are counting on ahead of the November elections where the party will fight to keep control of Congress.

White House aides say Trump is eager to take on welfare. He has a willing partner in House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, who has long had an interest in the issue.

But some Republicans believe Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is lukewarm on the drive for revising welfare, which might face a difficult sell in the Senate where Republicans hold only a razor-thin 51-49 majority.

Democrats already are attacking Trump for identifying welfare changes as his top 2018 goal, saying they are designed to help pay for tax cuts whose benefits are skewed toward corporations and wealthy individuals and which will add an estimated $1.5 trillion to the debt over 10 years.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-welfare/trump-push-to-scale-back-welfare-programs-has-republicans-on-edge-idUSKBN1ET1AG

[SeaDoo77]

1. Attack The Poor

To help enrich the already rich more.

Republicanomics.

[Blue_true]

4. A lot of the poor Whites vote only republican.

If it was only those people that suffered, I would want republicans to knock themselves out eliminating the programs. But sane and innocent people also get badly hurt.

[questionseverything]

6. even jerks that vote r have kids that do not deserve to go hungry

[drray23]

8. they dont but yet these same kids

will grow up and vote republican like their stupid parents. Apparently its brainwashed into them from an early age. I have never met a hardcore republican with a capacity for analysis and reflexion. They vote gop no matter what and if you challenge them they spout one liner arguments they heard on fox news or limbaugh. If you keep pushing they resort to insults.

[questionseverything]

9. where i am from it isn't that way...downstate illinois

mclean county is pretty much split 50/50 but in 08 when Obama ran I had many repub friends that either voted for him or did not vote at all

and no matter what I want democrats to stand for feeding poor kids

[drray23]

11. no arguments about that.

of course we dont want the kids to suffer for the stupidity of their parents. Hopefully CHIPS is reenacted. Many of these kids living in red states will be affected as well.

[questionseverything]

12. yes chip is one of the best programs we have ever had

for low wage working families

food stamps help the economy, for every buck the govt spends on fs the gdp gets $1.79 worth of activity...that is huge payback for our investment

[Freethinker65]

2. Honestly, the GOP might as well go for broke. Take the $$$$$ and nations resources and smile

[Ferrets are Cool]

5. I agree. May as well find out JUST HOW STUPID

the American people are and just how masochistic they can be.

[left-of-center2012]

3. May have to open 'work camps' for the poor

[Jake Stern]

7. His base will take the hit if it means Blacks and Latinos are cut off from assistance

Despite Trump and the GOP slashing their benefits, Bob and Jill Smith of Boogerville, Kentucky will still vote for the Republicans because of a few wedge issues like abortion or gun control.

The only place this MIGHT cost him votes is with the increasingly small pool of independents and a couple "moderate" Republicans.

[Hekate]

10. KnR