Donald Trump was elected president in 2016. He is a businessman and was a reality TV star.
Previous Work Around Poverty and Opportunity
- Trump signed the Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility executive order that calls on federal agencies to reevaluate welfare regulations. It also grants more power to states to determine work requirements and other aid allocation details.
- He favors mandatory work requirements for social welfare programs.
- His administration has criticized United Nations reports around poverty in the United States.
On the Issues
Jobs: Touts job growth and the drop in the unemployment rate under his presidency. Has urged the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates low, and has also introduced a series of tariffs.
Affordable Housing: Calls for $8.8 billion in affordable housing cuts in fiscal year 2019 budgets request.
Health Care/Insurance: Has stated that the government should not cut Medicare in the past. Advocates for repealing the Affordable Care Act and has identified it as a priority for his second term. His 2017 tax reform bill stopped the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate.
Education: Signed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which allows states to set their own targets regarding career planning and technical education.
Criminal Justice: Signed into law the First Step Act, which introduced a series of sentencing reforms and efforts to promote reentry and reduce recidivism.
Minimum Wage: During his 2016 campaign, suggested raising federal minimum wage to at least $10 but also expressed belief that the decision should rest with states. Has not moved to raise the minimum wage while in office, and a top advisor argued against the concept of the minimum wage altogether.
Safety Net: Has stated that the federal government should not cut Social Security benefits in the past. Reformed regulations to allow states more ability to institute work requirements for Medicaid. The Trump administration has also voiced support for cuts to SNAP.
Children/Families: Has voiced support for some type of paid family leave, and his daughter and advisor, Ivanka Trump, proposed a paid family leave initiative.
Taxes/Tax Credits: Through the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, introduced a number of reforms to the tax code including a reduction in the corporate tax from 35 percent to 21 percent. Believes in lowering and simplifying taxes.
News Articles
“Trump’s Opportunity Zone Rules Deliver on Investors’ Wish List” (Bloomberg 4/30/2019)
“How Obamacare Lives On, Despite Trump’s Best Efforts” (The Washington Post: 4/30/2019)
“Trump defies doubters with surging economy” (Politico: 4/26/2019)
“Trump administration appeals rulings that blocked Medicaid work requirements” (Washington Post: 4/10/2019)
“UPDATE: President Trump Calls for Drastic Cuts to Affordable Housing” (National Low Income Housing Coalition: 2/12/2018)
“Manufacturers Added 6 Times More Jobs Under Trump Than Under Obama’s Last 2 Years” Forbes: 2/1/2019