WASHINGTON — This week, Representative Lou Correa (D-CA) joined a coalition of his colleagues, led by Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, in filing a discharge petition to force consideration of a special rule to prevent the largest cuts to Medicaid and food assistance in American history to pay for massive tax giveaways to billionaires. The petition is now open for signature by any Member of the House who is committed to protecting access to Medicaid and SNAP for millions of Americans. Correa, alongside 5 other leading House Democrats, introduced the underlying legislation to block the extreme and unprecedented cuts to Medicaid and food assistance—like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—in the House-passed Republican budget.
“In my district alone, nearly 80,000 residents rely on SNAP and food assistance programs to keep their families fed. Under this budget plan, they would be left behind. And the 34,000 CA-46 residents who receive Affordable Care Act coverage would see their premiums go up by over $2,000 every year. That is unacceptable, unconscionable, and un-American,” said Blue Dog Coalition Co-Chair for Policy and Legislative Strategy Lou Correa. “We’re introducing this discharge petition to block these harmful cuts and ensure that tens of millions of our constituents continue to receive the health care and food assistance they need and deserve. And we hope our colleagues across the aisle will join us in signing it.”
Under House rules, once a discharge petition receives 218 signatures, it triggers a vote on the House Floor. Ranking Member Boyle’s petition would discharge a special rule that includes the text of his Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act—amending the Congressional Budget Act to protect Medicaid and SNAP from any reduction in coverage or benefits in the reconciliation process.
“Instead of working to lower the high cost of living, Donald Trump and Rubber Stamp House Republicans are advancing their deeply unpopular budget scheme to give tax breaks to their billionaire donors like Elon Musk while sticking everyday Americans with the bill,” said Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “They are planning to enact the largest cut to Medicaid and food assistance in American history, but House Democrats will continue pushing back with the fierce urgency of now. If House Republicans are telling the truth that they do not support taking food out of the mouths of children and slashing healthcare, our bill does just that.”
“The Republican budget includes the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in our nation’s history—cuts that would jeopardize health care and food assistance for millions of Americans,” said Budget Committee Ranking Member Boyle. “This discharge petition is an opportunity for every Member of Congress to show where they stand. We intend to gather 218 signatures from both parties, and I sincerely hope my colleagues across the aisle will join us. If they truly believe in protecting these essential benefits, this is their chance to prove it.”
“Republicans have repeatedly claimed they’re not going to take away people’s health care by cutting Medicaid,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Pallone, Jr. “If they’re telling the truth, Republicans should join Democrats in signing this discharge petition to bring our bill to the House floor to ensure Medicaid will not be cut to pass tax breaks that help the rich get richer.”
“Slashing $230 billion from SNAP will take food assistance away from children, seniors and veterans,” said Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Craig. “Supporting the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP discharge petition is a way to protect their access to food and health care at a time when all Americans are struggling with rising costs.”
“House Democrats oppose taking food and health care from working people to pay for tax cuts for billionaires,” said Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Casar. “Now the question is: will any House Republican join us, or will they all support taking health care and food from millions of Americans?”
“Signing this discharge petition should be as easy as saying you support Medicaid and SNAP, but so far not one Republican is willing to put health care and food assistance for millions of people above tax cuts for billionaires,” said New Democrat Coalition Chair Schneider. “If our colleagues across the aisle truly support hardworking families over President Trump’s billionaire buddies, they’ll join us in signing this petition.”
You can read more about the The Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act HERE.
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