WASHINGTON, DC: Service Employees International Union (SEIU) International President April Verrett released the following statement in response to the draft budget resolution introduced by House Republicans:

“The budget proposal introduced by House Republicans — which will slash funding for Medicaid, food assistance and other vital services to fund tax breaks for the wealthy — is a cruel reminder of where our country is under this new Administration. Working people of every background, occupation and political affiliation have been urging our leaders to stand up for them and 80 million children, pregnant moms, veterans, and grandparents at risk of having their Medicaid ripped away. Instead of listening, Republicans in Congress are putting billionaire desires ahead of the needs of their constituents.

Make no mistake — radical changes to Medicaid will hurt us all. Cutting Medicaid will shrink funding for other vital services and infrastructure families depend on — from child care to Meals on Wheels — while putting increased pressure on service providers by decreasing resources that are already insufficient. These extreme proposals do nothing to lower the cost of groceries, utility bills, prescriptions, housing or anything else to help working people.

SEIU members and our communities are not fooled by this attempt to rewrite and extend the President’s 2017 tax cuts. We continue to call on House Republicans to go back to the drawing board and create a budget that will protect the health and well-being of those who need it most. We’re also watching to see who will stand with working people during this process.”

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