New Jersey Republican Rep. Leonard Lance told constituents Tuesday night that he does not support President Donald Trump's proposed budget, Politico reports.
"Regarding the budget document, I do not support it," Lance told roughly 400 attendees at a town hall at Union County College in Cranford. "The president proposes and Congress disposes."
Lance described Trump's plan as "merely a blueprint as to how to move forward," and said it includes cuts that "are too significant." He also voiced his support for fellow New Jersey Republican Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee and recently came under fire for refusing a town hall and for supporting the GOP plan to repeal and replace Obamacare.
Lance voted against the repeal plan earlier this month.
"I ran on the promise of not simply repealing Obamacare and returning to the status quo but offering something better. The House-passed bill doesn't achieve these goals," he said in a statement at the time, according to Politico.
Despite his strong words on the budget, Lance was not as emphatic in his criticism of Trump's lack of financial disclosure and ties to Russia, when asked by a Somerville Republican, who said he had lost faith in the GOP due to the "clear criminality of the current administration and the lack of outcry or action from the party in control."
He asked Lance, "When will you call them out? What will it take to make a clear statement?"
The congressman responded by praising the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, but refused to discuss the issue of disclosing the Trump family's financial assets.
"That is an open question, ladies and gentlemen. I believe that should be decided by the Supreme Court of the United States," he said.
When pushed to slam the president, Lance said, "I criticize the president where I disagree with him. I indicate where I support him."
"A fair and impartial investigation regarding the whole Russian situation should occur," he added. "I think that Bob Mueller will do a superb job and let the chips fall where they may."
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