Rep. Cleaver Votes Against Budget Resolution that Opens Door to Slashing Medicaid and SNAP, Exploding Deficit to Provide Another Handout to Wealthy

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted against the Republican Budget Resolution that would open the door to slashing essential programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) while exploding the federal deficit to finance another round of tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest Americans. 

“As Missouri families continue to struggle with the cost of living, as well as the economic chaos created by the president’s reckless tariff policies, my Republican colleagues are laser-focused on passing another round of tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest Americans—paid for by slashing essential programs that working class Americans depend on like Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, and more,” said Congressman Cleaver. “This isn’t just fiscally irresponsible, it’s a dangerous proposal that will drive up the cost of everything from healthcare and housing to groceries and energy, all while exploding the federal deficit.”

According to estimates, the resolution would increase inflation, with the average American household’s purchasing power over the next five years falling by $300-$1,250. That does not include the average loss of $3,800 for the average American due to the president’s previously announced costly tariff plans.

The Treasury Department found that the extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would give an average annual tax cut of $32,118 for those in the top 1 percent and an average annual tax cut of $314,266 for those in the top 0.1 percent. Nearly half the net benefit of extending the law would go to the top 5 percent of households, or those making more than $450,000 per year.

Meanwhile, working families will only receive a few hundred dollars in tax cuts a year while losing access to programs like Medicaid, SNAP, school meals, and more, as well as facing higher costs due to inflationary effects. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Republican budget previously passed by House Republicans would result in the largest Medicaid cuts in American history—which would be particularly devastating to Missouri.

In addition to the $880 billion in cuts to programs like Medicaid and CHIP, other devastating cuts to federal programs from the Republican budget include at least:

• $330 billion in cuts targeting student loan programs, income driven repayment, Pell grants, and school meals;
• $230 billion in cuts threatening nutrition assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
• $50 billion in cuts that endanger government employee retirement benefits and the federal workforce;
• $10 billion in cuts to investments in local infrastructure made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law;
• $1 billion in cuts that jeopardize the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and federal financial regulators;
• $1 billion in cuts to clean energy investments made under the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Rather than pushing an extreme, partisan budget resolution that will take from the most vulnerable in our community and give to those in the top five percent, Congress should be focused on expanding tax cuts for working and middle class families, investing in healthcare and housing programs that will lower costs for Missourians, and ensuring the wealthiest among us pay their fair share,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As Republicans continue to pursue more reckless trickle-down economics, I will do everything in my power to put a stop to these reverse Robin Hood policies.”

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.