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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Paul D. Tonko today issued a statement following the narrow passage of Republicans’ budget, which makes the deepest cuts to healthcare, food assistance, and environmental protections in American history.

Tonko spoke against this budget on the House floor in the early hours of the morning ahead of the House vote. His remarks can be viewed HERE.

“Ripping away healthcare from 13.7 million individuals. Snatching food out of the mouths of children, mothers, and veterans. Opening the door for polluters to pour toxic, cancer-causing chemicals into our air and water. These are what my Republican colleagues voted to pass this morning with their monstrosity of a budget. Even worse, they are making all of these ruthless cuts to essential services for working class Americans and adding trillions in new debt just so they can give more tax handouts to the wealthiest Americans.

“Over the last week, I have spent multiple sleepless nights in committee rooms, on the House floor, and in the halls of Congress condemning in every possible way the horrors of this bill. I was compelled to speak up and speak out about the harms that these cuts would have on my constituents and on Americans across the nation. Despite this effort, and the incredible public outcry from folks demanding Republicans keep their hands off Medicaid, SNAP, and other basic needs programs, My GOP colleagues denied and ignored these pleas to advance a budget they couldn’t even be bothered to negotiate in the light of day.

“This bill now heads to the Senate, where in all likelihood it will be revised and sent back to the House. Make no mistake, I won’t stop using every tool at my disposal to fight against this cruel budget and on behalf of the lives who would be destroyed by its enactment.”