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Washington, D.C – Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) voted no on the Republican Budget. The Republican budget provides trillions in tax cuts for the rich but does nothing to lower costs for American families. It increases the deficit while inflicting pain on the most vulnerable, while raising the debt limit by $5 trillion. 

This budget slashes at least $230 billion from food assistance programs at a time when grocery prices remain high. It cuts at least $880 billion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), threatening coverage for nearly 20 million Americans who rely on the ACA and more than 72 million people who depend on Medicaid—including children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. These kinds of cuts risk the stability of rural hospitals who depend on Medicaid reimbursements to keep their doors open. 157,471 Vermonters enrolled in Medicaid and Chips in 2024, putting nearly a quarter of the state at risk of losing their health care. 

“This Republican budget is yet another giveaway to billionaires at the expense of working Americans. They control the House, the Senate and the White House and they could be passing legislation to make your life more affordable,” said Rep. Becca Balint. “But they’d rather kiss up to the billionaire class while shutting down vital programs that Vermonters rely on. All while driving up the deficit by trillions.”

“House Republicans had opportunities to take things like social security and Medicaid cuts off the table. But they can’t help themselves. They are intent on making deep cuts that risk the healthcare of millions. It’s truly sickening, and I won’t stand for it,” concluded Rep. Balint who spoke in opposition to the Republican budget during floor debate last night. 

Rep. Becca Balint is a member of the House Budget Committee. Throughout the budget resolution consideration, Rep. Balint has offered amendments to protect Social Security and reduce health insurance costs. This week, her amendment to prevent the House of Representatives from considering legislation that would cut Social Security benefits, increase the retirement age, or privatize Social Security was rejected by Republicans in the Rules Committee.