Two Mississippi congressmen disagree on how the president's proposed budget will affect Mississippians. MPB's Alexis Ware reports.
President Donald Trump is proposing a budget plan that will cut funding for safety-net programs like food stamps and Medicaid. Second District Congressman Bennie Thompson, the state's lone Democrat in Congress, says many Mississippians depend on healthcare assistance.
"About 26 percent of our citizens are on Medicaid if we cut in Washington those dollars, our hospitals, our doctors and ultimately our citizens will be impacted."
Mississippi's Fourth District Congressman Republican Steven Palazzo says assistance to poor people can come in other ways.
"I also read a quote today that compassion doesn't necessarily need to be judged by the number of programs the federal government offers or the number of people that's being served, but are they doing what they were intended to do and that's to move people up and out of poverty and into the workforce and being productive citizens."
The two congressman also have opposing views on the current Russia investigations, involving last year's presidential election. Palazzo says there isn't evidence of the interference allegations.
"Let the facts lead us where they may and let the American people determine if there was any wrong doing and if there was any evidence of a crime being committed, but as of right now I personally feel that this is just a distraction."
Thompson, however, says he is concerned about the administration's relationship with the Russian government and that there's enough proof to support reason for an investigation.
