Merrimack Valley News

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) voted against House Republicans’ debt limit proposal that would slash federal funding for key federal programs Massachusetts families depend on.

“The Republican legislation passed today is as cruel as it is unnecessary. The GOP has made it clear they will do everything in their power to hold our economy hostage unless the White House agrees to steep cuts in funding for the programs Massachusetts families rely on most. It’s a grave mistake for Republicans to gamble veterans’ health care, students’ tuition, seniors’ retirement, and the housing and child care families need to succeed,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I refuse to play that dangerous game, and the White House should too. If Republicans want to have a conversation about responsible spending, we have a process set up to do that during government funding negotiations – not when the full faith and credit of the United States is on the line.”

The legislation brought to the House floor today threatens to hold the debt limit hostage in exchange for severe cuts to federal programs. If the GOP bill were to become law, Massachusetts would be drastically impacted:

• 4,800 preschool and child care slots would be eliminated in Massachusetts.
• 198,000 Massachusetts residents would lose access to food assistance programs, including 23,000 women, infants, and children.
• Increase housing costs for 24,600 Bay Staters who rely on rental assistance to make ends meet.
• 42,000 fewer veteran outpatient visits would be available to Massachusetts veterans in need of care.
• Increased processing and wait times for 1.4 million Massachusetts seniors who rely on the Social Security and Medicare benefits they’ve earned.
• Reject admission to opioid treatment for 1,200 Massachusetts residents seeking treatment for addiction treatment through the State Opioid Response grant program.
• Slash 140 rail safety inspections in the Commonwealth, meaning 270 miles of track will go uninspected over the next year alone.
• Shut down 4 air traffic control towers in Massachusetts, increasing wait times and making it less safe to fly.
• Increase college costs for 105,200 Massachusetts residents who rely on Pell Grants to attend school.

The legislation passed today despite 4 Republicans joining every Democratic member in opposing the bill. President Biden has pledged to veto the bill if it reached his desk in its current form.

Original source can be found here.