Scholten Statement on House Passage of Republicans’ ‘Big Ugly Bill’

Washington D.C. –  After Republicans finally broke a historically long stalemate on the House Floor, they passed their Big Ugly Bill that will rip health care away from millions of Americans and raise costs on working families. On behalf of West Michiganders, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) voted no.

“I just voted no on H.R. 1 for the good people of West Michigan—for our health care, for our children, for our farmers, for our seniors, for our veterans, and for each and every one of you. You need no further evidence of how disastrous this bill will be than the narrow margin by which it passed and the hours upon hours that it took House Republicans to be convinced that this bill was good for their constituents,” said Rep. Scholten.

“Our work is not over. As I told my neighbors at my town hall last night, I will fight the provisions of this bill tooth and nail in the days ahead. There is nothing more important to me than ensuring our community is set up for success by the federal government – from access to quality health care, to affordable housing, to a fair tax system. This bill accomplishes none of those things. Today is a disappointing day for our nation, but we will continue to work towards the future that West Michigan deserves,” concluded Rep. Scholten.

This betrayal of a bill:

• Cuts roughly $1.3 trillion from health care and food assistance for families and gives roughly $1.3 trillion in tax breaks to people making over $500,000—a historic wealth transfer from middle-class Americans to the wealthiest few.

• It makes the largest cut to health care in American history and will cause approximately 425,000 Michiganders to lose their health care.

• It jeopardizes SNAP for the 34,000 MI-03 residents who participate in the program.

• Increases household energy costs by an average of $400 and will lead to millions of jobs lost, $197 billion in lost wages, and $290 billion in economic investment that will be ceded to countries like China.

• Will add $4 trillion to the national debt, including $700 billion in interest.