Trump is no longer in power, but his budget director is advising House Republicans to use the debt ceiling to gut vital programs like Medicaid and food stamps.
The Washington Post reported on Russ Vought’s diary:
“I’m tired of this focus on Social Security and Medicare, like you’re climbing a mountain and you can’t progress up that mountain until you get to the eagle’s nest at the top,” Vought told the Washington Post. “You bring those cuts to the American people and you win.”
….
In the 10-year budget proposal he circulated on Capitol Hill, Vought characterizes this approach as part of an existential battle for the soul of the country. The plan includes $2 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, the health care program for the poor; over $600 billion in cuts to the Affordable Care Act; over $400 billion in food stamp cuts; hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to education grants; and a halving of the State Department and the Department of Labor, among other federal agencies. While congressional Republicans have yet to release a budget plan, House GOP lawmakers are evaluating cuts to these programs as a way to reduce debt without touching Medicare and Social Security.
Subscribe to our newsletter:
House Republicans are refusing to release their plan to deal with the debt ceiling because their plan is to attack the poor, aid education, cut the departments of state and labor and empty the ACA.
This is the same plan the Trump administration tried to achieve while cutting taxes on the wealthy and corporations, and it was a complete failure with the American people. If these cuts are taken for the American people, they will result in resounding rejection.
Whether Republicans say it or not, the plan is to take money and aid from people below and give it to those above.
Jason is the editor. He is also a member of the White House press pool and a congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in political science. His graduate studies focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the American Political Science Association
