战略与国际研究中心-What-to-Expect-in-the-FY-2018-Defense-Budget_62页_1mb

America First Budget Blueprint Summary (2018)

Core Content

The America First Budget Blueprint for 2018 outlines the President's vision for a more secure, efficient, and fiscally responsible Federal Government. It emphasizes national security, public safety, and reducing the national debt by making strategic spending cuts and increasing funding for defense and critical domestic programs. The Budget Blueprint is presented as a comprehensive plan to restore American greatness by prioritizing the needs of the American people over global commitments.

Main Goals

• Rebuild the military without increasing the national debt.
• Strengthen border security and immigration enforcement.
• Reduce wasteful spending and streamline government operations.
• Promote fiscal responsibility by targeting inefficiencies and reducing the national debt.
• Encourage private sector involvement in areas where the Federal Government's role is seen as redundant or overreaching.

Key Viewpoints

• The Federal Government should operate more effectively and efficiently, focusing on mission-critical activities and reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens.
• National security and public safety are the top priorities, with significant increases in defense spending and investments in immigration enforcement.
• The Budget is not the full Federal budget, but a discretionary funding proposal that highlights the Administration's focus areas.
• The President is committed to reducing the national debt, which is currently at $20 trillion, by cutting programs and reducing spending in non-defense areas.
• The regulatory reform agenda includes a freeze on new regulations, cost caps, and the elimination of outdated or ineffective rules.

Key Information

Budget Overview

• Total discretionary budget increase: $54 billion for national defense.
• Total 2018 budget request for DOD: $639 billion (up from $587 billion in 2017).
• Total 2018 discretionary budget for non-defense programs: $54 billion in reductions.

National Security and Defense

• Repeals defense sequestration and restores $52 billion to DOD, plus $2 billion to other defense programs.
• Increases funding to accelerate the defeat of ISIS, improve warfighting readiness, and modernize military capabilities.
• Focuses on rebuilding the Armed Forces, ensuring they are better led, equipped, and ready for future challenges.

Border and Immigration Security

• Significant increases in funding for border security, including:
  • A wall on the southern border with Mexico.
  • Additional resources for immigration judges, detention capacity, and Border Patrol.
  • Support for U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• Reduces opioid abuse and increases funding for addressing violent crime.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Reduces non-defense spending by $54 billion, focusing on eliminating inefficient programs and redirecting funds to more pressing domestic needs.
• Cuts foreign aid and other international programs, arguing that the U.S. should prioritize its own citizens.
• Eliminates or reduces funding for over 100 programs and agencies, including:
  • The African Development Foundation
  • The Appalachian Regional Commission
  • The Corporation for National and Community Service
  • The Corporation for Public Broadcasting
  • The U.S. Trade and Development Agency
  • The Legal Services Corporation
  • The United States Institute of Peace
  • The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Government Reform and Efficiency

• Imposes a hiring freeze and initiates a reorganization of the Executive Branch to reduce the size and inefficiency of the Federal workforce.
• Establishes a Regulatory Reform Officer and Regulatory Reform Task Force in each agency to identify and eliminate burdensome, ineffective, or outdated regulations.
• Promotes a "Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch" through Executive Order 13781.
• Focuses on reducing regulatory costs and ensuring that new regulations do not exceed the benefits of old ones.

Agency-Specific Highlights

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• Budget request: $17.9 billion (a 21% decrease from 2017 CR level).
• Key cuts:
  • Reduces funding for lower-priority activities like land acquisition.
  • Eliminates the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education program.
  • Reduces staffing in service centers and statistical capabilities.
• Key investments:
  • Fully funds the Food Safety and Inspection Service.
  • Provides $6.2 billion for the WIC program.
  • Maintains funding for wildland fire suppression and core research.

Department of Commerce

• Budget request: $7.8 billion (a 16% decrease from 2017 CR level).
• Key cuts:
  • Eliminates the Economic Development Administration and Minority Business Development Agency.
  • Discontinues Federal funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program.
  • Reduces NOAA grants and programs related to coastal and marine management.
• Key investments:
  • Supports the 2020 Decennial Census.
  • Maintains weather satellite programs and forecasting capabilities.
  • Funds the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to support spectrum use and digital commerce.

Conclusion

The America First Budget Blueprint is a strategic effort to redefine the role of the Federal Government, focusing on security, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility. It aims to rebuild the military, strengthen domestic security, and reduce the national debt by cutting inefficient programs and streamlining government operations. The Blueprint reflects the President's commitment to putting American interests first and ensuring that the government is accountable to the people.