EL PASO, Texas (Border Report)—The newly elected chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Conference is urging House GOP leaders to exercise restraint when cutting social programs.
In a letter penned Wednesday to House Speaker Mike Johnson, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, said conference members support efforts to eliminate waste. But he warned that slashing programs like Medicaid, food assistance (SNAP), and Pell Grants for college students would “devastate” millions of Americans.
“While we fully support efforts to rein in wasteful spending and deliver on President Trump’s agenda, we mustn’t slash programs that support American communities across our nation, nor underfund critical programs necessary to secure the border and keep our communities safe,” Gonzales wrote.
He referred to the Feb. 13 House Budget Committee’s proposed $880 billion in cuts to programs, including Medicaid.
“Slashing Medicaid would have serious consequences, particularly in rural and predominantly Hispanic communities where hospitals and nursing homes are already struggling to keep their doors open,” Gonzales wrote.
He said 82 percent of full-time Latino students rely on federal Pell Grants and loans to pay for college. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce is eyeing $330 billion in cuts including financial aid for higher education.
“If we are serious about empowering the next generation and strengthening our workforce, we must facilitate, and not undermine, opportunities that help students succeed,” Gonzales said.
He also urged protection for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or “food stamps”). The House Committee on Agriculture reportedly has been directed to cut $230 billion.
“Hispanic Americans stood with us because we stood up for them on the issues that matter: border security, economic opportunity, and a government that works for the people, not against them,” said Gonzales, who represents parts of Northeast and Far East El Paso.
The letter to Johnson also was signed by Congressional Hispanic Conference Vice Chairs U.S. Rep. Monica de la Cruz, R-Texas, U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Arizona, and five others.
CHC leaders went on to emphasize their support for more spending for border security, completion of the border wall with Mexico, the hiring of additional border agents and officers, an end to the quick release of migrants apprehended at the border and more resources for police departments and sheriff’s offices in counties overwhelmed by illegal immigration.
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