Congresswoman Luz Rivas Votes Against Republicans’ One Big Ugly Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) released the following statement following House passage of Republicans’ One Big Ugly Bill, which includes the single largest cut to healthcare in American history and dramatically increased funding that allows President Trump to implement his cruel anti-immigrant agenda:

“By voting to pass their One Big Ugly Bill, House Republicans voted to betray our values as a nation and turn their backs on children, working parents, veterans, and our most vulnerable,” said Congresswoman Rivas. “For six months, Republicans in Congress have done nothing to save Medicaid, protect immigrant communities, provide food for needy families or children, or address the rising costs of living. Under direct orders from President Trump, Republicans’ One Big Ugly Bill ignores these concerns and instead gives more tax break to billionaires, unleashes the largest cut to healthcare in American history, and empowers ICE to continue wreaking havoc on our communities.

“Republicans voted to stand with billionaires and make life harder and more expensive for working families. I voted with all my House Democratic Caucus colleagues to save Medicaid and SNAP, protect our immigrant communities, and stand with working families across the San Fernando Valley and across the country.”

Background

The House passed the bill by a vote of 218-214. Congresswoman Rivas joined all House Democrats in voting against the bill.

About President Trump’s and Republicans’ One Big Ugly Bill:

• Slashes around $900 billion from Medicaid and billions more from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges and Medicare;
• Forces 17 million Americans, including over 2.3 million Californians, to lose their coverage with millions more having to pay higher premiums, co-pays and deductibles. This includes an estimated average increase in premiums of $2,440 for CA-29 residents covered under the ACA;
• Defunds Planned Parenthood and vital healthcare providers that ensure millions of women across America can get basic healthcare, including routine visits and cancer screenings;
• Makes the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history, jeopardizing SNAP for 42 million people including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans;   
• Adds $4 trillion to the national debt, including $700 billion in interest;
• Raises household energy bills by at least $110 per year beginning just next year, more than $400 before 2035, and an average yearly increase of $670 for California families; and
• Spends more than $150 billion in funding for Trump’s cruel immigration enforcement agenda – including an unprecedented $45 billion to build immigration detention centers for families and adults and $27 billion for immigration enforcement and removal operations.

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