WASHINGTON: In a move that is expected to draw significant attention and controversy, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed a budget plan for the 2026 fiscal year that calls for sweeping cuts to several key social programs, including child care, health research, education, and housing. According to a report by the New York Times, the proposal seeks to reduce billions of dollars in federal spending across a wide range of sectors that are integral to the welfare of many Americans. The budget cuts outlined in the proposal would affect a variety of essential services that support vulnerable populations. Programs that provide child care assistance, education funding, and health research are among those facing significant reductions. These cuts come at a time when many of these programs are already under financial strain, and critics are likely to argue that slashing their budgets could have long-term negative effects on the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Additionally, the proposal includes significant reductions to community development and housing assistance programs. These initiatives have historically helped low-income Americans access affordable housing and improve their living conditions. If implemented, these cuts could exacerbate the growing affordable housing crisis that many cities across the U.S. are currently facing. The cuts to health research are particularly concerning given the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other health crises. The U.S. has historically been a leader in health research, with government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) playing a critical role in advancing medical knowledge and developing treatments for diseases. Reducing funding for health research could delay medical breakthroughs and hinder the country’s ability to respond to future health emergencies. Similarly, the proposed cuts to education funding raise alarms about the future of U.S. schools and students. Many educational institutions, particularly those serving low-income communities, rely on federal funding to provide essential resources and support services. Reducing this funding could lead to larger class sizes, fewer educational opportunities, and diminished outcomes for students across the country. The proposal is still in its preliminary stages, with officials at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) working to finalize the details. An OMB spokesperson clarified that “no final funding decisions have been made” yet, and the White House is expected to release the full budget proposal next week. This budget proposal is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. Since taking office, President Trump has pursued a policy of downsizing government operations, arguing that such cuts will lead to a more efficient and less burdensome federal system. However, critics argue that the proposed cuts could undermine the government’s ability to address pressing national challenges and provide necessary services to the American public. In addition to the cuts to social programs, the Trump administration is also planning to slash more than $9 billion in previously approved spending for the current fiscal year. This measure will impact funding for public media outlets such as PBS and NPR, which receive federal support to provide educational programming and news services to the American public. The reduction in funding for these outlets is likely to spark debate about the role of government funding in supporting independent media and whether such cuts are in the public interest.