A Message from the Chair: Our History of American Progress Marred by GOP's Backward Budget

Since our nation’s independence, the American story has been one of hard-won progress. We’ve been fighting to build a country where hard work means you can support your family and build better opportunities for your kids. The Republican budget bill, jammed through with high-pressure overnight votes, rips that promise apart. And Idaho Republicans Mike Crapo, Jim Risch, Russ Fulcher, and Mike Simpson cheered it along.

First, it takes a wrecking ball to our economy. The North America’s Building Trades Unions aptly dubbed it the “biggest job-killing bill” in history. It threatens 1.75 million construction jobs and 2 million clean energy jobs. And it cuts financial aid for people pursuing education to get jobs with better wages.

The bill slashes funding for Medicare as well as Medicaid, which faces a $1 trillion cut, the largest in U.S. history. People who purchase coverage will see premiums rise by 75%. Eight rural hospitals in Idaho are at risk of shutting down. One in four nursing homes nationwide could close. This eliminates even more jobs, while putting health care out of reach.

And when Democrats offered hundreds of amendments to soften the attack on working families? Republicans voted against them all. Against lowering prescription drug costs, helping folks afford home health aides, and protecting food assistance for veterans, foster kids, and families struggling to make ends meet.

There’s nothing good to say about this bill, so the Republican spin machine lies. Here’s the truth: There is no change to how Social Security is taxed. Many tipped workers will not reach the tax liability threshold to benefit much from the limited tax exemption on tips. Even if they do, this deduction expires in 2028. The same is true for the short-lived change in overtime income. Meanwhile, their tax cuts for the ultra wealthy and corporations NEVER expire.

Then there’s the math. This bill adds $3.25 trillion to the national debt while handing out $4.47 trillion in tax breaks to the wealthy. It slashes $1.3 trillion from food and health programs and gives that exact amount to billionaires in tax cuts.

Who is this budget for? Not the people who get up before dawn to milk cows, drive trucks, teach kids, or work in construction. It’s for those living in penthouses and flying in private jets.

It’s the budget of a Republican Party that lost its way when the billionaire class bought it. It sets up the next generation to face fewer jobs, receive less career training, be sicker, and have a harder time supporting a family than the generation before them.

Idaho families deserve better. Idaho Democrats will fight like hell to expose this betrayal and undo the damage.

Onward,

Lauren Necochea
Idaho Democratic Party Chair