Amo Exposes Harmful Consequences of Republican Budget Resolution

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) called out Republican attempts to gut Medicaid and food assistance while giving a tax giveaway to the richest one percent of Americans in a House Committee on Budget markup.

“The Republican plan could take a machete to slash $230 billion from SNAP and $880 billion from Medicaid. Two proposals which, oh so conveniently, allow them to turn around and shovel $1.1 trillion in tax giveaways to the richest 1%,” said Congressman Amo. “A glaring omission in this Republican proposal is addressing cliffs on the horizon. If Republicans fail to act, 4 million Americans will lose their health coverage by the end of the year.”

“In Rhode Island, a 60-year-old couple earning $82,000 a year would see their annual premium increase by over $14,000. That’s not a typo. $14,000,” Congressman Amo continued.  “So to my Republican colleagues, why are putting your foot on the gas to drive the American economy into a ditch? Is it because Trump’s billionaire donors asked you to? Is it because the whims of Elon Musk matter more than the needs of working people?” 

WATCH CONGRESSMAN AMO’S REMARKS HERE

BACKGROUND

Congressman Amo serves on the House Committee on the Budget to fight for budget priorities that reflect Rhode Island values and the needs of working families across the country. The House Committee on the Budget’s chief responsibility is to draft an annual concurrent resolution on the budget that provides the framework for spending and revenue levels, the federal surplus or deficit, and public debt. The Committee is also the first step in the reconciliation process the Republican House majority is using to push the Trump Tax Scam 2.0 — a plan that could cut key programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

REMARKS AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY

I’m grateful to engage in my first Budget Committee markup.

But I was always told that budgets are a reflection of values. And when I look at this Republican budget, all I see is betrayal.

This roadmap will lead to jacking up costs, raising the price of health care, and pushing college even further out of reach for working families.

Why are Republicans doing this? Why not actually do the work to help middle-class Americans instead of giving tax breaks to billionaires?

Mr. Chairman, I did my homework to prepare for this hearing. And I came across a quote by President Trump where he assured us that he would “love and cherish” Medicaid.

Where he promised “we’re not going to do anything with that.”

So, I ask, do you agree with the President?

If so, let’s take Medicaid cuts off the table. Let’s hold off on hurting Americans struggling to pay their bills since I know that you are loyal to the always thoughtful words of your leader.

Ordinary Americans know costs are high. It’s the one thing Republicans said they’d address on Day One. But from groceries to gas prices — the cost of everyday goods are on the rise.

Don’t believe me? Egg prices just experienced their largest monthly price increase in a decade. They’re 53 percent higher today than they were last year.

Consumer inflation is increasing at the fastest pace in over a year and consumer confidence is its lowest in 6 months!

Elon Musk and your other billionaire buddies might not notice this, but Rhode Islanders do. 

Instead of easing this burden on families, Republicans are ransacking the programs they rely on.

Programs like Medicaid and SNAP that help people go to the doctor and put food on the table.

The Republican plan could take a machete to slash $230 billion from SNAP and $880 billion from Medicaid. 

Two proposals which, oh so conveniently, allow them to turn around and shovel $1.1 trillion in tax giveaways to the richest 1 percent.

A glaring omission in this Republican proposal is addressing cliffs on the horizon. If Republicans fail to act, 4 million Americans will lose their health coverage by the end of the year.

In Rhode Island, a 60-year-old couple earning $82,000 a year would see their annual premium increase by over $14,000. That’s not a typo. $14,000.

Chair Arrington, in Texas, that same couple would see their annual premium increase by nearly $18,000.

To my Republican colleagues, why are putting your foot on the gas to drive the American economy into a ditch? 

Why? Is it because Trump’s billionaire donors asked you to? Is it because the whims of Elon Musk matter more than the needs of working people?

Like I said, this is a betrayal. This is not some social policy experiment- real people will suffer. It is a betrayal of our seniors, it is a betrayal of families, and a betrayal of our middle class.

I yield back. 

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