Recently, it seems the daily news is filled with rampant misinformation around the budget resolution passed by the House of Representatives and my vote to support it. Activist campaigns and false media reports are attempting to paint a picture that Republicans in the House voted to cut funding to Medicaid and Medicare. This is causing a public panic and suggesting people in need will not receive benefits. Therefore, I feel compelled to set the record straight and let you know this is not true.

The budget resolution we passed never once mentions cuts to any program across any agency in the federal government. The vote was on a piece of procedural legislation that sets a framework for negotiations on spending and tax policy. The Senate passed a resolution as well, and now the two chambers will work through their differences to create a final budget roadmap.   

Let me make this clear, I do not and will not support denying any eligible American access to services like Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP. These are important programs that help many people and communities in Central Washington, and cutting resources to those who rely on these programs is not the goal.   

What is important in maintaining the integrity of these vital programs is that we identify and eliminate waste and abuse that has bloated federal spending beyond what is sustainable. The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) released an astonishing report this month showing that agencies across the federal government made $162 BILLION in improper payments last year, and over half of those overpayments occurred in Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP.

Medicare issued $54.3 billion in improper payments, and Medicaid issued nearly $16 billion. Even SNAP incorrectly issued $10.5 billion, something we must address in the Farm Bill. These numbers are unacceptable. As a fiscal conservative serving on the House Appropriations Committee, I will be working hard to ensure we end this unsustainable practice and ensure these programs remain solvent for low-income families and our seniors who rely on them.  

These are serious discussions that demand a serious and honest approach. I am committed to addressing them with pragmatism and being honest with those who are impacted. Spreading misinformation serves no purpose in this process.

We have a lot of work ahead of us, and I encourage anyone with questions about legislation to reach out to my office. I will continue to fight for Central Washington with your best interests in mind as Congress charts the course towards fiscal responsibility. I want to ensure Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP continue to exist in the future, and Congress has taken the first step in achieving that goal. 

This week, I joined my colleagues and the American Business Immigration Coalition to advocate for common-sense reforms to the H-2A program. I emphasized the need for a strong agricultural workforce so we can all have food on our tables.

President Trump has made it his priority to bring down grocery prices. My answer to that, make sure we have a legal, dependable workforce.

Watch the full press conference below!