Cohen: Trump Administration Will Thrust America Into a New "Dark Ages"

Statement

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today released the following statement after reports that President-elect Donald Trump is planning dramatic cuts to several important federal programs.

"On the eve of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, I fear that America will soon be thrust into cultural and societal deterioration, a new Dark Ages," said Congressman Steve Cohen. "According to a report by The Hill, President-elect Trump and his team are planning to eliminate the Minority Business Development Agency and the Legal Services Corporation, both of which help minority groups participate in the American dream. Trump plans to eliminate the COPS program and the Office of Violence Against Women Grants, both of which help fight crime in our communities. Trump plans to eliminate the National Endowment of the Arts and the National Endowment of the Humanities, both of which support the cultural participation in America. Trump plans to eliminate the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, both of which would be detrimental to our environment. And Trump plans to privatize the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, limiting the freedom of press guaranteed by our Constitution. Many of these programs are essential to my constituents and for the health, safety and well-being of people all across the country. If they are eliminated, there will be far-reaching negative consequences for the country, setting us back decades. I implore President-elect Trump to preserve these programs."

According to The Hill, the following federal programs (among others) are being considered by the Trump Administration to be reformed or eliminated:

Corporation for Public Broadcasting
National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Humanities
Minority Business Development Agency
Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women Grants
Department of Justice Office of Legal Services Corporation
Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Department of State Paris Climate Change Agreement
United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Source