Washington, DC – Congressional Republicans’ true priorities were on full display overnight, as they repeatedly rejected proposals to lower costs for working Americans. During an overnight session, nearly every Senate Republican voted against amendments aimed at bringing down soaring health care, food, electricity, and housing costs. Instead, they pushed through a $70 billion increase in funding for ICE. Rather than helping Americans afford basic necessities, Republicans in Congress continue to peddle an agenda that puts working people last.
“Americans are struggling with soaring costs and record cuts to health care and food assistance that have made it harder and harder for families to get by. Yet, Republicans in Congress have repeatedly blocked any attempt to bring down costs and make life more affordable for their constituents. However, they have no problem continuing to funnel billions of dollars into ICE,” said Unrig Our Economy Campaign Director Leor Tal. “Republicans in Congress continue to make one thing crystal clear: They refuse to prioritize the working people they’re supposed to represent.”
The New York Times: Senate Adopts G.O.P. Budget, Defeating Democrats’ Affordability Proposals
Key Points:
- Republicans pushed through a budget plan with a $70 billion increase for immigration enforcement after an overnight session in which they beat back Democratic proposals aimed at lowering costs.
- The budget measure now goes to the House, which must adopt it before lawmakers in both chambers can draft the legislation funding immigration enforcement.
- Democrats took to the floor to criticize Republicans for supercharging funding for federal immigration enforcement rather than moving legislation that would address Americans’ concerns over affordability.
- The G.O.P. thwarted an effort by Mr. Schumer to require that the budget measure lower out-of-pocket health care costs for Americans.
- Republicans also squelched a move by Senator Ben Ray Lujan, Democrat of New Mexico, to create a fund that would lower grocery costs and reverse cuts to food aid programs that Republicans enacted last year.
- Also defeated by the G.O.P.: a proposal by Senator John Hickenlooper, Democrat of Colorado, to address rising consumer prices brought on by Mr. Trump’s tariffs and the war in Iran; one by Senator Edward J. Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts, to require the budget measure to address rising electricity prices, and another by Mr. Markey to create a fund to bring down housing costs.
- Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat who is up for re-election in Georgia, also sought to add language requiring the budget plan to address health insurance companies denying or delaying access to care, but that, too was blocked by Republicans.
To learn more about the campaign, visit UnrigOurEconomy.com or contact press@unrigoureconomy.com
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About Unrig Our Economy
Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable.