RICHMOND, Va. — This week, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee released its bill text for the Big Billionaire Bailout, which would increase the cost of healthcare and groceries to pay for increased tax cuts to the wealthiest 1% of Americans.
As public opposition to the proposal continues to rise and support for Medicaid reaches 83% among all Americans – including 3 in 4 Republican voters – Freedom Virginia co-Executive Director Ryan O’Toole released the following statement:
“It’s clear what Republicans in Congress are trying to do: raise the cost of groceries and healthcare for everyday people to pay for new tax breaks for corporations and the ultra-wealthy. Robbing the middle class to enrich the 1% through this bill is further proof that our corrupt tax system is rigged to benefit special interests, not hardworking people. We urge our U.S. Senators, Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, to continue opposing the bill and to work with their colleagues to defeat these harmful measures.
“As candidates for office in Virginia this year talk to voters, we urge them to present solutions to the Commonwealth’s impending fiscal crisis. Just this week, data from the Virginia Department of Social Services projected that if the Big Billionaire Bailout passes, Virginia would be on the hook for $540 million to support affordable groceries through the SNAP program. That’s on top of the money Virginia will have to find to make up for further cuts to Medicaid, federal grants, and spending. This Republican budget moving through Congress presents real harm to regular Virginians and would strain all aspects of our state budget, ranging from affordable child care and K-12 schools to Medicaid and affordable housing. It’s time that we get serious about addressing Virginia’s revenue needs with fair, sustainable solutions.”
