EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — After over a 25-hour marathon of votes, the U.S. Senate passed President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” on Tuesday, July 1, sparking many local lawmakers to respond about the budget bill.
The bill, which is in the process of being discussed for approval by the U.S. House, includes a permanent extension to the 2017 tax cuts, no taxes on tips and $350 billion for border security.
Here are what some local leaders have said in response to the bill passing the Senate:
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas
“Today, the Vice President and 50 Republican Senators voted to take away healthcare from 17 million Americans to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and explode our deficit by trillions of dollars. As House Republicans rush through this worse version of the bill without reading it, the American people must take notice of where their loyalties lie. When it comes to prioritizing the needs of their own constituents or those of the President and the billionaire class, Republicans consistently choose the latter.”
Former Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas
“This bill means hundreds of dollars a year in higher health care costs and higher energy costs for Texas families, and over $3 trillion in new debt for our children. It makes huge cuts to Medicaid and cuts health insurance for over 1 million Texans to pay for a massive giveaway to billionaires. Texans shouldn’t have to foot the bill while John Cornyn and his DC friends give handouts to the ultrawealthy. This is just the latest example of insiders rigging the game for their friends while Texas families pay the price. It’s time Texas has leaders who fight for us, instead of lining their own pockets.”
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Democrat
“With their vote to approve President Trump’s reckless budget proposal, Republicans in the U.S. Senate betrayed the American people. This bill is a disastrous, deficit-exploding gift to the ultra-wealthy made possible by gutting health care and food programs that millions of Americans rely on. I urge New Mexicans to call Republican members of the U.S. House immediately and demand that they vote against this awful bill.”
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