Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Becca Balint joined her Democratic colleagues united against the Republican Budget Reconciliation bill. This resolution gives more than $4.5 trillion in tax breaks to billionaire donors and big corporations.

To pay for these tax breaks, Republicans plan to make cuts to essential programs that Vermonters rely on. Nearly 20 million Americans rely on the Affordable Care Act for health coverage, and more than 72 million—including children, seniors, and people with disabilities—depend on Medicaid. And House Republicans are proposing at least $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid and the ACA, ripping away coverage and raising health care costs for millions. Over 40 million Americans rely on SNAP to help feed their families. But this budget slashes at least $230 billion from food assistance programs, even as grocery prices remain high.

Rep. Balint will introduce amendments to the resolution to protect ACA tax credits and to prevent cuts to social security benefits, increase the retirement age or privatize social security. 

Partial remarks below: 

“Here's the deal: We’re four weeks in and the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are betraying the middle class.

“Republicans have the house, the senate and the White House and they could be passing legislation to make your life more affordable. They could be working to bring down costs on groceries or prescription drugs or housing. But instead Trump is shutting down vital programs that protect and support Americans. And Republicans are letting him.

“Just this week, the Trump administration shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the agency that is responsible for protecting us from waste, fraud and abuse. The CFPB is one of the few places in government actually charged with standing up to the big banks and corporations who have ripped off consumers.  It has sent 21 billion dollars back to those who have been victims of corporate crimes. Every single state has residents who have benefited from the work of the CFPB. Shutting it down reveals a real contempt for American consumers.

“This president should be laser-focused on bringing down costs for Americans, and making sure everyone can live a life of security and dignity. But instead, the Trump administration is taking a wrecking ball to those programs that provide Americans with relief and some economic security. And again Republicans are letting him do it.

“This Republican budget resolution shows the deep betrayal of working Americans across this country. They have proposed a budget roadmap that gives massive tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and corporations. And how will they pay for the rich getting richer? By making deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs. They are kicking the poor and middle class to give the ultra wealthy another unneeded break.”

View her full remarks here.