President's budget targets health & poverty programs for cuts in FY27. Congress must reject them.

The Trump Administration released a proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) last week. It targets critical anti-poverty programs in the U.S. and around the world with massive cuts. The good news is, the federal budget is not up to the White House. It’s up to Congress. And now it’s time for them to do the right thing. This is what our appropriations work is all about. 

This time last year, the White House tried to zero out many global health programs, and cut others in half. But we got Congress to stand firm, restoring funding for nutrition, child health, tuberculosis, and much more. We need to do it again, and go further. Our appropriations actions right now are how we do that. 

The President’s Budget Request (PBR) includes a 30% cut to international programs. It threatens to cut global health by 45% and international humanitarian assistance by 25%. 

Disappointingly, there is no funding designated for International Basic Education. Global Nutrition and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance are also left out of the proposed budget. Those omissions would prevent millions of children from accessing lifesaving resources.

 The PBR also proposes gutting domestic anti-poverty programs. It calls to cut at least $3.8 billion from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s affordable housing programs. It also eliminates the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Overall, there is a 10% reduction in discretionary spending for domestic programs. 

It’s chilling that funding for programs so many Americans rely on is not prioritized. Instead, the PBR requests a 44% increase for military spending. That would be the largest increase in 75 years. 

This proposed budget would worsen economic instability and housing insecurity. It would cost lives around the world and destabilize progress against infectious diseases. And it would increase funding for war and conflict, while slashing emergency humanitarian funding.

Congress Must Defend Critical Anti-Poverty and Global Health Programs

There are some signs of support in the budget for RESULTS priority issues. The Administration is maintaining their support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The PBR language on the Global Fund upholds the U.S. commitment to the 1:2 matching pledge. This is a great sign of success after strong advocacy from RESULTS volunteers and our members of Congress last year.

The language surrounding Tuberculosis is also largely supportive, including the bold UN High Level Meeting targets of driving down the disease. Maternal and Child Health received increased attention after it was left out of last year’s PBR and the America First Global Health Strategy. This renewed support could encourage members of Congress to advocate for higher funding levels in FY27.

Congressional Republicans have rejected cuts proposed in the PBR before. Congress showed bipartisan support for global health and housing choice vouchers just a few months ago in the FY26 bills. In FY27 they must once again deliver robust funding for proven and effective anti-poverty programs in the U.S. and around the world. 

There’s a saying in Washington when it comes to the budget: the White House proposes, and Congress disposes. With another harmful proposal from the White House, it’s time for Congress to get to work.