Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement following final passage of H.R. 1, Republicans’ sweeping tax reconciliation bill, which enacts the largest cuts to Medicaid and food assistance in American history.
“Today, Republicans in Congress turned their backs on the people they were elected to serve, ramming through a reckless budget package that will leave America hungrier, sicker, and poorer. This wasn’t about policy or the public good. It was about appeasing Donald Trump and checking a political box, no matter the human cost.
“Instead of course-correcting after the Senate returned an even more extreme version of the bill, House Republicans caved without remorse. They pushed through the largest cuts to Medicaid in our nation’s history, ripping away health care coverage from more than 17 million Americans, with millions more having to pay higher premiums, co-pays, and deductibles. They gutted food assistance with the largest cuts in American history, jeopardizing SNAP for 40 million people, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. They increased the national debt by $3.4 trillion over ten years, all to deliver a massive unearned tax cut to billionaires.
“Now, after gutting the social safety net and mortgaging our children’s future, they’re heading home to celebrate the Fourth of July. Meanwhile, working families are left to suffer the consequences.
“By passing this egregious and outright awful bill, Republicans made one thing unmistakably clear: their loyalty lies with Donald Trump, not the American people. They have abandoned their duty to govern. They chose blind allegiance over responsibility, compassion, and common sense.
“Every single House Democrat voted no on this cruel and despicable bill because the American people deserve better. This bill may be headed to Donald Trump’s desk, but our fight is far from over. I will keep fighting tooth and nail to push back against the cruelty, extremism, and misplaced priorities of Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress, and to fight for a future where every family has a fair shot.”
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Issues: 119th Congress, Budget