WATCH: On Senate Floor, Kelly Opposes Republican Budget to Cut Medicaid and Food Assistance to Fund Billionaire Tax Breaks
Last night, as the Senate debated the latest Republican budget proposal, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly took to the Senate floor to oppose the bill, which slashes Medicaid and food assistance Arizonans rely on to fund tax breaks for billionaires. In his speech, Kelly shared stories he’s heard from recent trips across Arizona and letters to his office detailing what these cuts would mean for families, veterans, and children across the state.
Kelly has spent the last several months traveling across Arizona—from Phoenix and Tucson to Clarkdale and Sierra Vista—hearing firsthand how these proposed cuts would impact people’s lives.
Read below key excerpts and some of the stories Kelly shared in his speech:
“We are debating a budget that gives another round of tax cuts to billionaires and giant corporations, on the backs of everyday Americans. And it also adds trillions of dollars to our national debt.”
“If you grew up in a household like mine where money was tight, you would know that budgets are about priorities. […] This budget clearly tells the American people who President Trump and Republicans in Washington need help. If you’re a billionaire, it says: ‘We’ve got your back.’ But if you’re a parent trying to provide for your family, a senior in a nursing home, or a child who counts on school for your only hot meal—you’re on your own.”
Stories Kelly shared from Arizonans:
Frank, a veteran on dialysis, called this week and said:
“The food bank and my SNAP benefits are the only way I eat right now. I can’t work. I’m not old enough to retire, and I’m dipping into my VA retirement early just to keep up with my mortgage. Without this help, I don’t know what I’d do.”
Cheryl from Tucson, a 59-year-old widow, said:
“I receive Disabled Widow’s Benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP. My rent and utilities eat all but about $300 of my monthly income. SNAP and my healthcare card used to cover most of my food costs. I used to have about $40 left over to buy extra groceries for the unsheltered in my area. Now, buying food for my household takes all of it. I’m scared. If I lose even one of these benefits, I’ll lose the grip that keeps a roof over my head.”
Karen from Scottsdale, who has worked for over 25 years helping veterans and people with disabilities, wrote:
“Many of the people I work with rely on Medicaid because they can only work part-time or because their employers don’t offer benefits. Cutting them off will just make healthcare more expensive for everyone. The rich do not need an extension on tax cuts at the expense of low-income and middle-class families.”
Kelly ended his speech by urging his colleagues to listen to their constituents before casting their votes.
Sen. Kelly speaks on the Senate floor.
Click here to view and download Kelly’s remarks.
