Booker, Jeffries voice opposition to ‘reckless’ Trump budget at sit-in on Capitol steps

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) are voicing their opposition to a “reckless” Republican budget by holding a sit-in on the U.S. Capitol steps on Sunday morning.

The lawmakers began their sit-in just after 6 a.m. and addressed people online about the Trump administration’s proposed budget, which they say will make cuts that would hurt Americans while expanding tax breaks for millionaires.

“This is a moral moment in America. Sitting on the Capitol steps with Leader Hakeem Jeffries this morning to discuss what’s at stake with Trump’s budget and affirm the need for action to protect Medicaid, food assistance, and other safety net programs,” Booker said in a statement online.

The lawmakers have been live streaming since they began the sit-in earlier Sunday.

Booker said his direct messages are open, and he wanted to hear from the American people about how they will be personally affected by the cuts to the budget.

“We need just 4 Republicans to change their votes to stop this…and the more your voices are heard, the louder our collective call for action,” Booker said.

Congressional committees will work this week on the legislation for the agenda for Trump’s first year. The House and Senate adopted a budget resolution before leaving town for recess.

The proposed budget includes cuts to programs that promote education, housing assistance, childcare, health research and more, The New York Times reported after it received a preliminary draft.

The Trump administration has signaled it would unveil the proposal as soon as the coming days, a telling sign that it intends to follow through with its goal of slashing federal spending.

Many of the programs would have funds cut and grants sent to states to manage individually. The Times noted that the full extent of the changes is not yet clear but could result in fewer programs for low-income Americans.

While sitting on the Capitol steps, Booker said he wanted to talk about the budget and American traditions just hours before GOP lawmakers are going to be “pushing a bill that will cut food from the hungry, medicine from the sick, care for the elderly, support for the disabled.”