Senate Republicans' Reconciliation Bill Criticized as "Big Ugly Betrayal" by Senator Jack Reed

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) has strongly criticized the Senate Finance Committee's version of the reconciliation bill, calling it a "Big Ugly Betrayal" of working families. The bill, which requires only 50 votes to pass the U.S. Senate, would decimate family and state budgets, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The bill includes steeper cuts to Medicaid, raising health care costs and cutting over $1 trillion from America's health care system to give tax breaks to billionaires.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate Republican version of the reconciliation bill would terminate health care coverage for 16 million people, raising health care costs across the board.
  • The bill would cut more than $1 trillion from America's health care system to give tax breaks to billionaires.
  • Medicaid would be targeted for massive cuts, with the bill taking the program away from even more Americans who need it.
  • The bill would inflict a heavier financial burden on patients, hospitals, and blue states.
  • Big Oil lobbyists were able to get their preferred industry-backed language in the bill, giving a big handout to fossil-fuel companies and killing jobs.
  • The bill would shift considerable new costs to states and localities, posing a serious risk to critical public services such as schools, health care, and transportation projects.
  • The Senate Republican bill prioritizes tax cuts for the rich and powerful at the expense of average Americans, with billionaires and corporations getting tax giveaways while more Americans are being squeezed and living paycheck to paycheck.
  • The bulk of the benefits in the bill go to the wealthiest, while the safety net and basic services for average Americans get shredded.

Statistics:

  • 16 million people would lose health care coverage under the Senate Republican version of the reconciliation bill.
  • The bill would take over $1 trillion from America's health care system to give tax breaks to billionaires.
  • Medicaid would be targeted for massive cuts, with the bill taking the program away from even more Americans who need it.
  • Big Oil lobbyists were able to get their preferred industry-backed language in the bill, giving a big handout to fossil-fuel companies.
  • The bill would shift considerable new costs to states and localities, posing a serious risk to critical public services such as schools, health care, and transportation projects.

Sources:

  • United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
  • Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
  • WASHINGTON, DC -- The Senate Finance Committee
  • President Trump and Congressional Republicans