Democratic Women’s Caucus Members Fight Republicans’ Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, Day and Night

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Republican budget is devastating for women and families. It cuts Medicaid, which covers one in five women and 40% of births—the largest single-payer of maternity care in the United States. It defunds Planned Parenthood, which one in three women have used for care. 14 million Americans will lose health care. It also includes the largest cut to SNAP in the programs’ history—which will disproportionately impact the 63% of SNAP recipients who are women. Democratic Women’s Caucus members are leading the charge in the fight against this bill, drawing attention not only to the absurd number of cuts to line the pockets of billionaires, but real people with real stories that will experience the consequences of this bill.

For over 19 hours straight, starting at 1:00 AM, Rules Committee Democrats, including DWC Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and DWC member Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) have been leading the fight against this bill in the Rules Committee:

Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) and Vice Ranking Member Gwen Moore (WI-04) represented their Committees to tell the truth about the devastation this budget will cause in front of the Rules Committee: 

• Agriculture Committee Ranking Member & DWC member Angie Craig (MN-02) slammed the proposed $313 billion in cuts to food assistance.
• Ways and Means Committee Vice Ranking Member & DWC member Gwen Moore (WI-04)  slammed the bill’s attacks on the Child Tax Credit and shortfalls for working families.

DWC members introduced over 279 amendments in the Rules Committee—which is more than half of the total number of amendments submitted—to protect women and families from cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and more:

• Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) proposed an amendment to prohibit defunding Planned Parenthood.
• DWC Chief Whip Nikema Williams (GA-05) proposed an amendment to make it easier for students to be eligible for nutrition benefits.
• DWC Member Nellie Pou (NJ-09) proposed an amendment requiring Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pregnant and postpartum patients.
• DWC Vice Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13) proposed an amendment that strikes the section of the bill that cuts Medicaid payments to family planning centers that offer abortions.
• DWC Member Suzan DelBene (WA-01) proposed amendments to make the Child Tax Credit fully refundable and increase the amount per child.
• DWC Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) proposed an amendment to prohibit any reduction in participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
• DWC Member Jahana Hayes (CT-05) proposed an amendment that ensures that proposed cuts to SNAP won’t result in a reduction of benefits.
• DWC Member Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) proposed an amendment that prevents Medicaid work requirements from going into effect until CBO certifies that work requirements won’t reduce the number of single mothers who are eligible for Medicaid.

Yesterday, 37 Members took to the House Floor to share the stories of women and children in their communities who would be devastated by Medicaid and SNAP cuts. Among the stories, they spoke about:

• Women who are the primary caregivers for nieces and nephews with disabilities and are terrified what will happen to these kids when they pass.
• Moms of preemies who spent years in the hospital and need Medicaid to survive.
• Retired women who care for multiple family members and need SNAP and Medicaid to get their basic needs. 

DWC Members have been denouncing and calling attention to these cuts on the House Steps, at press conferences, at rallies—anywhere they can. Because women cannot afford this bill and we will not back down. 

Please see here a list that outlines the specific impacts of the bill on women and families.

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