Indian American lawmakers have expressed strong disapproval following the U.S. Senate’s passage of a Republican-led budget proposal that aims to significantly alter federal spending, including deep cuts to healthcare and social safety net programs while increasing funds for military and immigration enforcement.
On July 1, the U.S. Senate passed a controversial budget package that has stirred significant opposition from Indian American members of Congress. The proposal, led by Republicans, has come under fire for significant cuts to federal healthcare programs and social safety net initiatives while allocating more resources to military and immigration enforcement.
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) criticized the Senate bill’s journey through Congress, stating, “The House Republican version of the Trump budget was already a disaster for the American people. The Senate somehow made it even worse.”
Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) described the Senate’s amendments to the budget as “selfish, cruel and expensive,” particularly criticizing the healthcare provisions. She noted, “Senate Republicans just voted to cut healthcare for millions of Americans to pay for a tax break for the rich. Americans will die so that billionaires can get a tax cut.”
Other lawmakers, including Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), weigh in on the matter, asserting that the current bill compounds the shortcomings of the original proposal. “Old version: slashed Medicaid, cut clean energy, exploded the debt. New version: slashes more Medicaid, cuts more clean energy, raises the debt even more,” said Subramanyam. He also emphasized that “Nearly 17 million Americans are projected to lose their health insurance because of the Trump Administration’s Big Ugly Bill.”
Representative Shri Thanedar (D-MI) warned of the severe implications for food security and health coverage, stating, “This bill will take food off the table of 2 million Americans and take away access to healthcare from 16 million more,” continuing, “All to give billionaires yet another tax cut. I’m heading to DC right now to vote HELL NO on this Big Ugly bill in the House.”
Echoing this sentiment, Representative Ami Bera (D-CA) underscored that Democrats are in solidarity against the bill. “House Democrats stand united against this harmful bill that will strip at least 16 million Americans of their health care. We must defeat this,” he stated.
The Senate vote was narrowly split at 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote after three Republicans—Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, and Rand Paul of Kentucky—sided with all 47 Democrats in opposing the bill.
Next, the budget bill will be reviewed by the House of Representatives, where Republicans maintain a slim majority of 220-212, making the outcome uncertain. House Democrats are anticipated to stand unanimously against the measure.
Stepping up efforts for its enactment by the Fourth of July, President Trump is expected to take a prominent role in convincing House Republicans to pass the bill.
According to New India Abroad
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