Macon Times

Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) made his stance against H. Con. Res. 14 clear by voting against the budget resolution. Congressman Bishop criticized the resolution for proposing cuts in vital areas such as Medicaid, student loans, and nutrition assistance to balance tax cuts for billionaires. Bishop argues that this move will "add trillions of dollars to the national debt," which even critics within the Republican party have acknowledged.

Bishop labeled the budget as "partisan and fiscally irresponsible," expressing concerns about how it could lead to millions of Americans losing their health insurance. "Seniors, children, people with disabilities, and working families will bear the brunt of this budget’s harmful cuts," he stated. The Congressman highlighted the potential negative impact on public schools, noting a loss of funding that assists in providing necessary educational resources. Nutrition programs are also at risk, potentially leading to increased hunger among families, children, seniors, disabled persons, young active-duty military families, and veterans.

The resolution includes significant financial reductions, totaling billions, across various sectors:

- $880 billion in cuts to sectors including healthcare, interstate commerce, conservation, energy, public health, and healthcare, specifically Medicaid.

- $330 billion in cuts affecting U.S. students, schools, and programs like school lunch and breakfast.

- $230 billion in reduced funding for agricultural and rural development programs, vital for farmers, food banks, and those combating high food prices.

Further cuts target infrastructure programs, potentially compromising improvements in roads, railways, bridges, and airports, alongside other cost-reducing investments.

The U.S. House Budget Committee provided projections specifically affecting Georgia's Second Congressional District if the resolution passes:

- Coverage loss for nearly 200,000 Medicaid recipients, including 133,300 children under 19 and 30,000 seniors over 65.

- More than 200,000 individuals could lose SNAP benefits, increasing hunger risks.

- 320,000 school children might no longer receive school meals.

- Loss of Pell Grants for 26,000 students, affecting their education opportunities.

Bishop also criticized the Trump Administration for earlier actions related to department and agency Inspectors General, suggesting this harms transparency.

In conclusion, Bishop remarked on the disconnect between the administration's expressed goals and actual budgetary actions, saying, "The Administration says they want to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse and reduce the deficit – which we all support – but this budget resolution does neither. What they are doing is eliminating transparency and dismantling the government, as outlined last year in Project 2025. This is a reverse Robin Hood scheme that steals the federal resources needed to adequately meet the needs of the American people, in order to pay for tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit billionaires."