Congresswoman Norma Torres Slams Republican Budget Resolution
A Betrayal to the Working and Middle Class
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) today issued a strong condemnation of the latest Republican Budget resolution. The resolution will endanger the health and well-being of thousands of hardworking families in California’s 35th District and beyond, particularly those who use vital public programs such as Medicaid (Medi-Cal), SNAP, and affordable healthcare.
"As a member of Congress, my job is to help our community thrive, so everyone in the Inland Empire has the opportunity for a better future– but the Republican budget plan does the exact opposite. It is an outright betrayal of working families, the middle class, and it will hurt the most vulnerable among us," said Congresswoman Torres. "This budget is nothing more than a massive wealth transfer from working families to billionaires and corporations, and we cannot let this happen.”
The Republican budget would put 339,369 people in CA-35 at risk of losing their healthcare under Medicaid, which includes 119,966 children under 19 and 28,000 seniors over the age of 65. In addition, it threatens the 60,000 constituents in the district who rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families.
“Let’s be clear, this isn’t just about numbers on a page. This is about real people. Real children who go to bed hungry, real seniors who depend on life-saving care, and real working families who simply want a fair shot,” Torres continued.
The impact of the Republican budget would extend to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with 34,000 people in CA-35 losing affordable healthcare coverage. For these families, average premiums could skyrocket by $2,280 per year—a 114% increase. For a 60-year-old couple in CA-35 earning $85,000 a year, their premiums would soar by $13,600 annually—an alarming 188% increase.
"This plan is a disaster. It takes affordable healthcare away from working people, hikes their premiums, and forces them to choose between paying for medical care or putting food on the table. It will take us backward, not forward," said Torres.
The proposed budget would also jeopardize the well-being of 2,452,931 California children who depend on free school meals under the Community Eligibility Provision, a vital program that helps ensure every child gets a nutritious meal during the school day.
"Year after year, Republicans have proven that their priorities lie with tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and corporations. This budget is no different. It proposes $5.5 trillion in tax cuts for billionaires, blowing up our deficit, increasing inflation, and leaving everyday Americans to pay the price. I cannot stand by while this reckless agenda puts the most vulnerable in our district at risk. We must protect our children, our seniors, and our working families.”
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