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Legislative Updates from Washington, D.C.
Last week, the Republican majority in Congress passed their budget bill, called the
"One Big Beautiful Bill" – and President Trump signed it into law. This bill will have devastating impacts: 17 million people kicked off their health insurance, food assistance ripped away from families, and exploding the national debt and deficit – all to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest among us.
In Minnesota, it has already been reported that the Republicans’ budget will force hospitals to close, cut hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans from Medicaid coverage, increase property taxes, raise energy bills, reduce funding for colleges and students, and leave a $1.6 billion hole in the state budget.
As a doctor for more than 20 years, I know firsthand how devastating this budget will be for millions of Americans who get their health insurance through Medicaid. As I voted in opposition to the bill last week, I couldn’t stop thinking about my patients – the mothers and families I have taken care of who got their health insurance through Medicaid. I couldn’t imagine voting for a bill that would take their health care away.
Before the House voted on the bill last week, I testified at the House Rules Committee in opposition to this bill, highlighting the devastating impact it will have on our health care system.
I introduced 12 amendments to make this bill work for the American people – including one to scrap the bill entirely. In my testimony, I implored my colleagues to “write a bill for the American people. Not the billionaires.”
I also introduced an amendment to strike the defunding of Planned Parenthood from the Republican budget. As an OBGYN, I'm terrified of what Republicans' plan to defund it would mean for millions of women across the country.
Republicans blocked all 12 of my amendments.
Although I’m concerned, disappointed, and outraged that this budget has now been signed into law, I’m reminded of the words of the great John Lewis that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries quoted as he wrapped up his record-breaking, nearly nine hour speech on the House floor before the final vote:
“We used to say that ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part. And if we believe in the change we seek, then it is easy to commit to doing all we can, because the responsibility is ours alone to build a better society and a more peaceful world.”
As I walked back to my office after the budget bill passed, I passed by the dozens of letters my constituents wrote to me about what they were fighting for. Every single letter on this wall reminds me of why I’m in Congress and inspires me to show up each day to work to create a better future. There’s a lot of work ahead, but I’m more determined than ever to make that future a reality.
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