Press Releases

Washington, D.C – Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) introduced two amendments to the Republican Budget plan to hold Republicans accountable for protecting affordable health insurance and Social Security. Both were rejected by every single Republican on the committee. 

The first amendment introduced by Rep. Balint would protect healthcare for millions of Americans. It strikes language in the Republican budget that would take away the tax credits that help people afford their health insurance.

The second would prevent the House of Representatives from considering legislation that would cut Social Security benefits, increase the retirement age, or privatize Social Security. 

The Republican budget 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.

“Americans feel exhausted and overwhelmed as they continue to face high costs of housing, healthcare and groceries,” said Rep. Becca Balint. “Congress should put all of our time and energy into relieving these pressures. We should be working overtime together to cut costs for our people back home to ensure that everyone can live a life with dignity and security. But that’s not what’s happening here.

“Instead, Republicans are working hand in hand with the Trump administration to make the richest people in the world even richer. This will not bring us stability and security. When 83 percent of tax cuts goes to the richest 1 percent, we have lost our way.

“I’m deeply concerned that not one of my Republican colleagues could take a stand for Social Security or affordable health care today. But we’ve been shown who they stand for: billionaires and Donald Trump. We need to finally make our nation’s budget work for working people.” 

View Rep. Balint’s remarks introducing her amendment to protect ACA tax credits here. 

View Rep. Balint introducing her amendment to prevent cuts to Social Security benefits, increase the retirement age or privatize Social Security here.

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