Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) signed a discharge petition to force Speaker Johnson to allow the House to vote on the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act, a bill that would protect Medicaid and food assistance from devastating budget cuts proposed by House Republicans.
“The proposed Republican budget slashes more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and food assistance – essential programs that millions of Americans rely on every day,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “Families in Ventura County and across the country simply cannot afford these cuts, which would drive up costs and deny access to life-saving health care and basic food assistance. Several Republicans have said they oppose these cuts. If that is true, now is the time for them to prove it. They should join House Democrats in forcing an up-or-down vote to protect these vital programs.”
In California’s 26th Congressional District alone, the Republican budget puts more than 200,000 people – including 80,000 children and 24,000 seniors – at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage and threatens the food assistance that 35,000 residents rely on.
A discharge petition compels a House vote on legislation the Speaker refuses to bring forward. It requires 218 signatures. If five Republicans join all House Democrats in signing the discharge petition, the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act will come to the floor for a vote.
The Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act would protect families by prohibiting Republicans from weaponizing the reconciliation process to cut benefits or remove individuals from Medicaid and SNAP. This would help ensure that tens of millions of Americans continue to have access to essential health care and food assistance.
Issues: 119th Congress, Healthcare