This is an open letter to U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie and the entire 116th Congress:

The president’s dangerous fiscal year 2020 budget proposal cuts billions from Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; reduces the Social Security Administration’s operating budget and slashes funding for programs like Meals on Wheels and home heating assistance.

Historic budget deficits, caused in large part by the Trump-GOP tax cuts for the very wealthy, are being used by the Trump administration as an excuse to push unfair and harmful cuts to essential social safety net programs.

The well-being and financial security of millions of workers, retirees and our nation’s most vulnerable citizens should not be sacrificed to solve our nation’s debt crisis or to fund costly tax breaks for the rich.

These proposed budget cuts do not reflect my values as an American and as your constituent. I urge you to reject the president’s budget proposal and instead support legislation that protects and strengthens benefits.

Kitty Kouns

Ashland, Kentucky