Press Releases
Congressional Republicans Who Vowed to Not Cut Medicaid, Voted to Cut Medicaid – and Could Benefit From Tax Scam
Several congressional Republicans vowed earlier this week not to vote for Medicaid cuts, they voted for it anyway, and now stand to line their pockets.
After weeks of deliberation, congressional Republicans passed their unpopular, Trump-endorsed tax cuts that benefit up to 70% of the Republican caucus, large corporations, and the ultra-wealthy. Congressional Republicans’ tax scam will add over $4 trillion to the deficit and will be paid for by 14 million Americans losing health coverage, 3 million households without food assistance, and burdening millions with higher education and energy costs.
Earlier this year, a dozen congressional Republicans vowed to preserve Medicaid, saying:
“We cannot and will not support a final reconciliation bill that includes any reduction in Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations.”
Those Republicans backtracked on their promise, and voted for historic cuts to Medicaid. Even worse, stand to financially benefit while their constituents lose their healthcare.
According to a new analysis from Accountable.US, first reported by The American Prospect, half of the congressional Republicans who vowed to protect Medicaid stand to financially benefit from passing the 23% pass-through deduction included in the Trump tax scam, including:
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Young Kim (CA-40), Rob Wittman (VA-01), who reported income that could benefit from expanding the pass-through deduction.
It is the peak of hypocrisy that the loudest and most vocal opponents of Medicaid cuts cowered in a matter of days in favor of a bill that will make the largest cuts to Medicaid in modern history – all to pay for lower taxes for the richest. Even worse, those very members stand to financially gain from those tax cuts, while their own constituents lose their healthcare. Their votes aren’t just a flip-flop; they are a betrayal to hardworking Americans everywhere who will be worse off because of this bill."
Accountable.US Executive Director Tony Carrk
Today’s findings are the latest in Accountable.US’ Cash in Congress project, which will continue to shed light on how congressional Republicans’ tax cuts will hurt everyday Americans by gutting programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and Head Start while enriching the wealthy few.
