Five ways Trump's budget request could affect the average American
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President Trump's first federal budget proposal follows through on his campaign promise to slash large chunks of federal spending while boosting security, which could have ramifications for Americans' health care, education, and housing.
Why it matters: While presidential requests almost never survive the Congressional appropriations process intact, the GOP majority in both chambers could line up behind many of Trump's requested cuts.
- Trump proposed slashing domestic spending by almost a quarter in Fiscal Year 2026.
Read more about how the proposals would impact Americans:
Education
State of play: Trump's budget would decrease funding for programs meant to increase equity in education.
By the numbers: Trump's proposed education cuts include:
- $49 million from the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights, which enforces civil rights laws and investigates complaints.
- $4.5 billion from K-12 and Title I programs, which help low-achieving students, especially in high-poverty schools.
- $691 million for foreign students to attend U.S. institutions.
- $890 million in cuts to English Language Acquisition programs.
The other side: Trump proposed adding $60 million for charter school school funding.
- Expanding access to publicly-funded school alternatives has been a priority for the Trump administration.
- Shuttering the Education Department and slashing school funding is expected to hit Trump-voting states the hardest.
Health
The big picture: The proposal would add $500 million to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again Commission.
- The commission created in February is tasked with studying childhood chronic illnesses, autoimmune illnesses and autism.
- It is under explicit directions to scrutinize the use of common medications like stimulants.
Threat level: The proposal includes significant reductions in funding to research and support programs, including:
- $3.5 billion in cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — about a third less than in 2025.
- $17 billion in cuts to the National Institutes of Health, a nearly 25% reduction from past years.
- $1 billion in cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- $3.4 billion in cuts to National Science Foundation general research and education, including in behavioral sciences studies
Zoom in: The proposal also suggests $674 million in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid program management, but the request said these won't affect beneficiaries.
Veteran Affairs
Driving the news: Trump's proposal would expand veterans' access to health care after federal audits found veterans haven't received timely mental health care, services like diagnostic testing or consultations with cardiologists and other specialists.
- Trump proposed $3.3 billion more in funding for veterans' health care services and $2.1 billion to move medical records to an electric system.
- "Veterans who qualify for access to care with local community providers would be empowered to make the choice to see them, rather than having to drive in some cases hours to access the nearest VA facility," the request to Congress said.
Yes, but: The Trump administration's federal workforce purge could jeopardize VA research into suicide prevention, opioid addiction, prosthetics, and cancer.
Housing
Trump's proposed cuts affecting renters, homeowners and affordable housing include:
- $26 billion from the state rental assistance block grant, which provides tenant-based rental assistance, public housing, and housing for the elderly and disabled people.
- $4 billion from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Trump's budget would eliminate several home and community programs, arguing that state and local authorities are better suited to fund these.
- The Community Development Block Grant program would end, following a $3.3 billion cut.
- The HOME Investment Partnerships Program also faces a $1.2 billion cut. The program provides state and local governments with funding to expand housing supplies.
Transportation
Trump's proposal would increase funding for highway infrastructure and rail safety, including:
- Another $770 million to assist nationally significant highway, port and freight rail projects.
- Another $400 million to improve the safety and reliability of the passenger and freight rail network.
Between the lines: Trump wants to expand Federal Aviation Administration funding, after his administration fired hundreds of the agency's employees.
- Musk's DOGE team was stopped by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy from cutting air traffic control employees.
- Trump proposed $359 million to support an air traffic controller hiring surge and salary increases. An additional $824 million would go toward FAA facility and radar upgrades.
Go deeper:
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that an increase of $400 million, not $400 billion, is slated for improving the passenger and freight rail network.
