White House Priorities on Full Display in FY2027 Budget Request

NewsBusinessGovernment Government White House Priorities on Full Display in FY2027 Budget Request By Pam McFarland Courtesy Senate Appropriations Committee Susan Collins of Maine (R), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, notes that it is lawmakers in Congress, not the president, who ultimately decide how federal dollars are allocated through the appropriations process.  April 7, 2026 The White House budget request for fiscal year 2027, released April 3, follows the spirit of the fiscal 2026 budget, with draconian cuts to renewable energy and water programs, along with massive hikes in defense spending and funding for the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. The budget calls for a reduction of more than $73 billion over 2026 enacted levels. Although the budget is limited in specifics, providing primarily top-line numbers, it does highlight the administration’s broader priorities.  The proposed budget calls for a 52% decrease in funds for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, $4.6 billion below 2026-enacted levels, cutting $2.5 billion from the EPA’s clean and drinking water state revolving loan programs alone.  The U.S. Dept. of Energy would see a $4.8 billion increase over fiscal 2026 enacted levels, but most of the funding boost would go toward further developing the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal. A portion of the funding would also enable the National Nuclear Security Administration to support the development of next-generation technologies for future nuclear nav...