AFSCME’s Saunders: The economic fallout from this budget will be widespread and hurt working families

WASHINGTON — AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after the House voted to pass a federal budget that would bring devastating cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and public services nationwide:

“The House-passed budget promises to raise prices on working families and retirees, rip lifesaving health care and food support from millions, and threaten public services nationwide – all so billionaires like Elon Musk can buy more yachts.

“Deep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential programs mean nearly 3.5 million people – many of them children – will lose access to food assistance, while over 13 million will lose health coverage, including those who are working or caring for loved ones full-time. The consequences will ripple through hospitals, nursing and veterans’ homes, and clinics as they’re forced to lay off staff or shut down. Public schools will struggle to meet the needs of students who no longer receive meals at home or whose parents are suddenly out of work. At every turn, working people will pay the price while anti-union extremists in Congress prioritize tax breaks for billionaires.

“The economic fallout from their greed will be widespread. Layoffs across health care, education and other front-line sectors will weaken local economies and drive up unemployment. With new requirements attached to Medicaid and less funding for food assistance, many who lose their jobs due to these cuts will also lose access to the very assistance they need to recover. At a time of rising costs, this budget doesn’t just take away vital services — it drains money from Main Street and funnels it straight to Wall Street.

“But this budget is not yet law, and this fight is not yet over. In the coming weeks, we will be relentless in our efforts to make sure every member of the Senate knows exactly what’s at stake. Our elected leaders face a choice between padding billionaire bank accounts or defending their constituents’ health and livelihoods. AFSCME members across the country are watching. Billionaire donors may have the money, but we have people power — and we’re not afraid to use it.”