WASHINGTON, D.C. — Buried within President Trump’s newly-released budget proposal is severe cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

If the president gets his way, the cleanup program would go from getting $300 million per year to just $30 million.

But presidential budgets are usually nothing more than a wish list. And Ohio’s delegation is already making clear that, no matter what, the Great Lakes are off limits.

Trump proposed the same 90-percent cut to the initiative last year. And the year before that, he wanted to do away with the program all together.

But time and time again, Ohio’s elected leaders — from both sides of the aisle — have come together to say no.

“The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been a successful public-private partnership that helps protect both our environment and our economy,” said Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), who is co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. “I will continue to do everything I can to protect and preserve Lake Erie, including preserving this critical program and its funding.”

In his own statement, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said: “Ohioans rely on Lake Erie for jobs, clean drinking water, and a place to enjoy with their families…Senator Portman and I have always fought to ensure the GLRI is at full strength as communities work to keep Lake Erie clean. I will continue fighting for Ohio priorities throughout this budget process.”

The White House wants to cut the environmental protection agency’s budget by 31-percent, which the initiative falls under.

The Trump Administration argues the cuts are needed in response to the deficit.

On Monday, several of Ohio’s U.S. House members also released statements reacting to the president’s proposed budget.

Click on their name to view statements from Rep. Tim Ryan (D-13), Rep Joyce Beatty (D-03), Rep. Dave Joyce (R-14) and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-09).