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July 3, 2025 05:00-07:01 - CSPAN
02:00:54
U.S. House of Representatives
Participants
Main
h
hakeem jeffries
rep/d 01:49:10
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Speaker Time Text
hakeem jeffries ▲ ● ▼
In addition to the cuts to Medicaid, this bill will result in the largest cut to Medicare in American history.
By some estimates, more than $500 billion in cuts to Medicare as a result of the Republicans' one big, ugly bill.
This bill will also result in a devastating blow to the Affordable Care Act.
That's no surprise because since 2010, Republicans, Mr. Speaker, have been trying to gut and destroy the Affordable Care Act.
And as a result of the damage that is done to the Affordable Care Act in this legislation, millions of Americans will lose their health care.
The assault on health care in this one big, ugly bill will result in more than 17 million Americans losing health care in the United States of America.
Shame on the people who've decided to launch that kind of all-out assault on the health and the well-being of everyday Americans.
That's not what we should be doing here in the United States House of Representatives.
And because of the drastic cuts that are made to health care in this one big, ugly bill, people with private insurance all across America are going to experience increases in their premiums, their co-pays, and their deductibles.
Millions of Americans in every corner of this country.
An all-out assault on health care.
That's a very different vision, Mr. Speaker, that Republicans have working hard to take health care away from the American people than our vision, because we believe as Democrats that in the United States of America, health care should not simply be a privilege.
Health care is a right that should be available to every single person in the United States of America.
This bill is an all-out assault on the health care of the people of the United States of America, hardworking American taxpayers.
These are the people we should be standing up to work hard to lift up.
But instead, they're victims of this legislation.
Hospitals will close.
That impacts everybody in the United States of America.
If your hospital closes, whether you're on Medicaid or not, you will be unable to get the treatment that you or your family needs.
That's why we're fighting so hard to stop this bill.
One in four nursing homes, by some estimates, will close as a result of the Republicans' assault on Medicaid in this one big, ugly bill.
This bill also represents an assault on nutritional assistance here in the United States of America.
We've made great progress over The last 50 plus years as it relates to hunger in this country.
Great progress.
But we're still dealing with the reality that tens of millions of people in this country go to bed every night wondering whether they're going to be able to get a nutritious meal the next day.
Tens of millions of people in this country, millions of children.
And instead of trying to address that issue, Mr. Speaker, the one big, ugly bill will rip nutritional benefits away from millions of Americans, including children, rip food from the mouths of hungry children and hungry veterans and hungry seniors.
That is unacceptable.
And it's one of the reasons why we stand in strong opposition, Mr. Speaker, to this one big, ugly bill.
Republicans promised to address the high cost of living in the United States of America.
We believe that the cost of living is too high.
Housing costs are too high.
Grocery costs are too high.
Utility costs are too high.
Insurance costs are too high.
Child care costs are too high.
America is too expensive.
There are far too many people in this country struggling to live paycheck to paycheck.
That should not be the case in the United States of America.
But instead of addressing the high cost of living in this one big, ugly bill, Mr. Speaker, Republicans are actually going to increase costs, particularly as it relates to the energy bills that everyday Americans pay.
Estimated that energy bills will increase by hundreds of dollars a year.
That has nothing to do with lowering the high cost of living, making this country a more affordable place.
It does the exact opposite.
It's an all-out and unnecessary assault on the clean energy tax credits, the clean energy tax credits that many of my Republican colleagues promised in letter after letter after letter that you would stand behind,
but all chose to fold and abandon, fighting instead for special interests and opposing the ability for this country to stand up a cleaner energy economy, which means cheaper energy.
And because of the attack on clean energy jobs, on the clean energy economy, on the economic development that had already been set in motion, often in districts represented by my Republican colleagues and in Republican-led states, red states.
By some estimates, millions of jobs are going to be lost.
And so you're ripping health care away from millions of Americans, Mr. Speaker, ripping food away from children and veterans and seniors, raising the cost Of utilities of paying your energy bill by hundreds of dollars,
stripping away millions of jobs all across America.
And what is all of this being done for?
To provide massive tax breaks to billionaires all across this country.
We are better than that in the United States of America.
When we take an oath, convene here, come to the United States Capitol, our job is to make life better for everyday Americans.
But the genesis of this bill, the focus of this bill, the justification for all of the cuts that will hurt everyday Americans in this bill is to provide massive tax breaks for billionaires.
It's extraordinary.
Never in my time here in Congress have I experienced legislation that benefits so few people who fall into the category of the wealthy,
the well-off, and the well-connected, while at the same time hurting everyday Americans, that we should be fighting hard to help.
Now, all of this apparently is being rushed because the decision was made by President Trump that he would like to get a bill done by the 4th of July.
What does the 4th of July have to do with this one big, ugly bill?
What does celebrating American independence, the birth of this exceptional country, the journey that we've been on for 249 years?
What does any of that have to do with this one big, ugly bill?
I would suggest, Mr. Speaker, that if you actually look at the Declaration of Independence, what we find is that everything about this one big, ugly bill runs in direct contrast with what was set in motion by the framers and the founders of our great country.
Of course, the Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson, makes the famous statement that we hold these truths to be self-evident.
That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.
That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Mr. Speaker, I want to lock in for just a moment on That aspirational objective, the pursuit of happiness.
Because when it comes to everyday Americans, this one big, ugly bill will hurt the quality of life of hardworking American taxpayers, and it's all designed to put a happy smile on the face of billionaires.
That is inconsistent with the Declaration of Independence and what we should be celebrating on July 4th.
I think what Thomas Jefferson and the framers of this country, they set us out on a course of action, a journey, a march toward a more perfect union.
in part anchored in the pursuit of happiness, which decade after decade, century after century, leaders who sat at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, leaders in this Congress on both sides of the aisle tried to bring about for the greatest number of Americans.
But that's not what this one big ugly bill is all about.
America is too expensive.
There are far too many people who are living paycheck to paycheck here in this great country.
That should not be the case.
People who are struggling to survive, to make ends meet.
Mr. Speaker, imagine a country where everyone can afford to live the good life.
Work hard, play by the rules, and live the good life.
We haven't reached that place in the United States of America.
Imagine a country where everyone can work hard, play by the rules, and live the good life.
Good paying job, good housing, good health care, good education for your children, and a good retirement, which means keep your hands off Social Security and Medicare now and forever.
Now and forever.
We want a country where every single American can afford to live the good life, good paying job, good housing, good health care, good education for your children, and then a good retirement.
And we know that in the United States of America, to unlock that quintessential American dream, living the good life, you have to work hard and play by the rules.
But the challenge that so many Americans have right now in this country is that they're doing those two things.
They're working hard and they're playing by the rules.
But they're unable to experience the great American dream.
They're unable To get to that third leg, they're unable to live the good life.
And that's what we should be focusing on here in the United States Congress.
Not gutting Medicaid, not ripping food out of the mouths of hungry children, not rewarding billionaires with massive tax breaks.
How can you prepare to celebrate legislation that will undermine the quality of life of everyday Americans?
It's not just a hypothetical, it's not just hyperbole, it's not just hype.
It will happen.
Everyday Americans will be hurt by the one big ugly bill.
We're here on the Florida House of Representatives, debating legislation in the middle of the night with millions of Americans having gone to sleep, anxious about what would happen here on the floor of the House of Representatives, understandably concerned that their voices have not been heard in this debate,
that their pleas for compassion have been overlooked.
Many of my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, on the other side of the aisle have chosen not to hold town hall meetings, not to hear from the voices of the people that you're privileged to represent.
But we've embraced the American people.
We haven't run from the American people.
House Democrats will continue to run toward the American people and lift their voices up.
Lift their voices up.
And so, Mr. Speaker, I'm going to take a little time to share some of the stories of the American people.
Voices that might otherwise be excluded from this debate.
But we're not going to let those voices be excluded.
We will ensure that these voices are heard.
We will continue to do everything we can to bring those voices to life here on the House floor and beyond to stand up for the best interests of everyday Americans.
And we've heard from many of them throughout this process.
I'll share just a handful.
With Medicaid expansion, I now qualify for Medicaid.
Without insurance, my monthly bill for my three injectable drugs would be $3,000, $36,000 a year.
And that doesn't include any of my other meds or my medical appointments.
Who has that kind of money?
That's Charles, who lives in Alaska, district represented by Congressman Nick Begich.
Medicare and Social Security keep me alive.
I'm surviving on about $13,000 a year, most of it from my Social Security checks.
That's just enough to afford my rent, utilities, and food.
Without Social Security, I would be homeless.
And if Medicare did not pay for my medications, if I had to pay full price, I wouldn't be able to survive.
There are so many other seniors who are in the same boat.
Without these programs, seniors like me would die on the street.
That's Paula, who lives in Arkansas's 2nd congressional district represented by my colleague, Congressman French Hill.
My son is a 25-year-old young adult with profound nonverbal autism who needs 24-7 support.
Our family has relied on Medicaid from the time he was two years old when he began early intervention services.
At three, when he was diagnosed with autism, a private health insurance denied him coverage for his pre-existing condition.
Medicaid stepped in to provide health care.
From that point until today, home and community-based services through Medicaid have been vital to our son's health and well-being.
Medicaid also helped his school district pay for medically necessary therapies at school.
Our son is thriving and healthy, and our family can support him at home because of Medicaid.
That's Robin.
She lives in Arizona's first congressional district, represented by David Swiker.
These are stories from everyday Americans who've written to us to say to this Congress, stand up for our health care, Mr. Speaker.
Don't stand up for billionaires.
Stand up for everyday Americans, for our health, for our safety, and for our well-being.
Gwendolyn from Arizona, she also writes, she says, Medicaid is the difference between my son being healthy, happy, cared for, and social versus being at home with aging parents who struggle to physically provide the care that is required daily.
Medicaid funding means my son receives the incontinent supplies he needs, the internal feeding supplies he needs to live, and medications that his primary insurance won't cover.
Medicaid matters because without it, my son and millions of others like him may not survive.
Let me speak directly to Gwendolyn from Arizona.
Her representative may not be fighting on your behalf.
As House Democrats, we're here to say to you, we agree.
Medicaid matters and it must be preserved.
It must be preserved.
Because Medicaid matters to millions of people all across this great country, to children, to seniors, to people with disabilities, to women, to families, to people in every corner of the United States of America.
Yes, Gwendolyn, Medicaid matters.
unidentified
And if your representative won't fight for it, we will.
hakeem jeffries ▲ ● ▼
Brenda says to us, my youngest child is a nonverbal...
43-year-old female with autism who has been on Medicaid since she was 12.
She's had three major surgeries and six or more outpatient surgeries, all made possible because of Medicaid.
We would not have been able to get our daughter what she needed if it wasn't for Medicaid.
She also has a seizure disorder and is on several medications.
Some of them are way too expensive for us to afford on a blue-collar income.
Finding doctors that are good and accept Medicaid are few and far between, but some doctors are better than none.
And the only way our daughter will get any medical care at all.
She is one of the most vulnerable people in society.
And caring for her is a full-time job for myself and her father, who are both retired and are full-time care providers for her.
I am not sure why anyone would want to take this help and service from people whose very life depends on the help it provides.
That's a powerful and profound question.
Why would anyone in this House vote to take away Medicaid from the American people amongst the most vulnerable here in the United States of America?
Brenda from Arizona lives in Arizona's sixth congressional district, represented by my colleague, Congressman Juan Siscomani.
Garrett also from Arizona.
I'm still in the A section right now.
So strap in as we make sure we lift up the voices of everyday Americans all across this country.
You it's important that we take note this isn't abstract taking away health care from the American people.
It's concrete.
It's real.
It has devastating implications.
Garrett says, I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth.
Cerebral palsy at birth.
Thanks to Medicaid, I was able to undergo multiple surgeries that significantly improve my ability to walk, transforming both my mobility and daily life.
Relying on Medicaid, SNAP in the past, and SSI, I worry about what would happen to me and my friends if these programs were taken away.
Without them, I wouldn't be able to keep up with doctor's appointments, medications, and transportation.
Earlier today, my distinguished colleague from the great Commonwealth of Virginia read a passage of scripture, one of my favorite passages of scripture, Matthew 25 and 35 through 40.
And later on this morning, as I continue my remarks, perhaps I'll have an opportunity to go a little deeper into the meaning of Matthew 25 and 35.
What I can say is that all of us should be trying to lift up the least, the lost, the left behind, the poor, the sick, and the afflicted.
Garrett tells us, I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth.
And the first thing that jumped out to me when I read this was that we're all God's children and we should be looking after all God's children to the best of our ability, not running away from them and undermining their quality of life.
So Garrett, we're going to continue to stand up and work hard on your behalf.
Nancy from California.
That's a great name, Nancy from California.
Nancy from California writes, my two special health needs, former foster children depend on Medicaid for a dizzying array of health services ranging from over 20 pediatric medical specialists and palliative care to behavioral,
health, and occupational therapies.
They both have rare, incurable, disabling diseases that require IEPs to navigate school.
She continues, but I want to pause right there.
I think that's an important point, talking about her children and the IEPs to navigate school.
We should be looking out for children like Nancy's two beautiful former foster care children, her two special health needs children, as she calls them.
It's one of the reasons why the Department of Education is important.
Public schools are important.
Nothing in this bill supports public education.
In fact, this one big, ugly bill represents an attack on public education.
And that is not consistent with what we should be doing as we prepare to celebrate our 249th birthday and lifting up this pursuit of happiness.
Nancy continues, the ACA protections for pre-existing conditions and the removal of lifetime caps are also essential.
My youngest child requires medical care that I simply cannot afford, costing between $750,000 and $1 million per year, depending on how stable her health is.
I work part-time, but the caregiver burden is too demanding for me to maintain a full-time job.
As a single widowed mother, Medicaid has become a lifeline for keeping my kids as well as possible.
Nancy lives in California's first congressional district represented by my colleague, Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
Laura lives in the Central Valley of California, an area of the country with the highest concentration of Medicaid recipients.
The highest concentration Of Medicaid recipients.
I've been raising my six grandchildren for 15 years and they are coming of age.
But not many jobs are available.
Also, my 16-year-old grandson depends on Medicaid and EBT to survive.
He takes many medications a day.
If you're not going to respect my ability to speak, respect the story that I'm telling on behalf of Laura.
Respect her story because her story matters.
Her story matters.
And the American people matter.
He takes many medications a day.
I'm too old to do anything but take care of him.
I can't imagine choosing what medicines he gets or who gets to eat.
Please reconsider for the people who need medication that is necessary for survival.
Universal access to food and meds would lighten the worry that we carry.
Not having to worry about food and medicines gives me more time to care.
For my 26-year-old grandson, who is quadriplegic due to a head-on collision last year, please don't make him suffer anymore.
He needs food supplements and many medications every day to survive.
Laura lives in California's 22nd congressional district, a district that is represented by my colleague, Congressman David Valladale.
Just happens to be the district that has the highest concentration of Medicaid recipients in this country.
Laura, I don't know what your Congress member is going to do.
Every single House Democrat is fighting hard to protect your Medicaid.
We value you and we're working hard to defend you.
Jackie is from the Orange County area of California.
My son is 34 years old.
He has Down syndrome and autism and lives at home with his aging parents, dad, 82, and mom 71.
His biggest joys in life for him are his day program and eating out.
How small are his desires?
And you want to take that away from him.
He requires much care, bathing, shaving, washing hair, brushing teeth, dressing, etc.
His aging parents can do the job required for this 100% of the time.
He has great caregivers right now, and they have been with him for many years.
Now you want to take that away from us.
Please know that Medicaid, Medi-Cal, is what allows us to keep him in a safe and happy environment.
That he will not get anywhere else and for a whole lot less money.
Why should that change for him? Jackie asks.
Please be respectful of families who have high-need family members who need these services.
Thank you for allowing me to speak on behalf of my son and everyone who loves him.
Jackie lives in California's 40th congressional district, a district represented by my colleague, Congresswoman Young Kim.
Kayla writes to us from Colorado.
At 26, I was diagnosed with brain cancer, a discovery I was only able to make because of Medicaid.
Without it, I wouldn't have been able to get the treatment I need to survive.
That diagnosis changed my life.
And while I am grateful to be here, I can no longer work.
Now I rely on disability benefits, food stamps, just to get by.
These programs are the only reason I'm able to live.
Without this support, I don't know how I would manage.
Kayla lives in Colorado's second congressional district, a district represented by the assistant Democratic leader Jonah Goose.
Kayla, I can say to you that your congressmember is fighting hard to protect you, just like every single member of the House Democratic Caucus.
Ashley writes to us from Colorado.
He says my life was saved by the Affordable Care Act.
Because of this act, I was able to stay on my parents' health insurance when I couldn't get any coverage.
At the time, I was dealing with a myriad of health issues and would eventually be diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses.
Because of the ACA, when my husband and I were married, I was able to be added to his insurance without being denied due to pre-existing conditions.
Prior to the act being passed, I was denied coverage and care many times.
If I was even approved for coverage, it cost me thousands per month in premiums.
I was being penalized, Mr. Speaker, for being sick.
There were many times when I could not get coverage that I had to choose between which prescriptions I would get to have or whether I would get all my meds or the groceries we needed.
You know, there are far too many people in the United States of America right now before experiencing the devastating consequences of this one big ugly bill who have to choose between putting food on the table,
clothing on their backs, access to medication, or paying the rent.
The United States of America is the wealthiest country in the history of the world.
Not a single hard-working American taxpayer should ever have to choose between food or medicine or rent or putting clothing on their back.
Not a single hard-working American taxpayer should ever have to make that choice.
If people did not have to worry about health care being accessible, they would be able to be seen when necessary.
And when people are able to see doctors when they are unwell, they can stay healthy for longer periods of time.
When people can stay healthy, they don't miss work.
When people don't miss work, they don't risk losing their jobs.
The way things work now only encourages the constant classes act of keeping the sick and poor sick and poor.
This should never ever be a situation in a country that claims to have the best functioning economy in the world.
The best doctors, the best universities.
Ashley lives in Colorado's third congressional district.
unidentified
Gentlemen is not recognized.
The House will be in order.
hakeem jeffries ▲ ● ▼
Ashley.
Lives in Colorado's third congressional district, represented by my colleague, Congressman Jeff Heard, and also writes from Colorado.
Through the Medicaid waiver, Scott Ann's son was placed in a group living situation that worked out for a while but was eventually kicked Out.
After that, he moved back in with me but ended up homeless once more before finally being placed back on a Medicaid waiver program.
Now he's doing really well.
His job, which he loves, also receives funding through Medicaid so that people with disabilities can be employed and be productive members of the community.
Without Medicaid, he probably wouldn't be alive today.
Without this assistance, we likely wouldn't be where we are now.
And I doubt that there would be a happy ending to this story.
Ann lives in Colorado's 6th congressional district, a district represented by our colleague, Congressman Jason Crow, who is also fighting hard to protect your interests and, as every single one of us in the House Democratic Caucus will continue to do.
We believe in America health care is not simply a privilege that should be afforded to the wealthy, the well-off, and the well-connected.
It's a right that should be available to everyone.
A right that is still imperfect at this moment, that we are working hard to perfect.
But this one big ugly bill, the largest attack on health care, Mr. Speaker, in the United States of America, moves us in the opposite direction.
Daniela is also from Colorado.
She writes to us, Medicaid has been a lifeline for our family, especially for my five-year-old daughter, who has autism.
That's the thing, Mr. Speaker.
Medicaid is important for so many Americans all across this country, including people with disabilities.
It's a necessary lifeline so that parents can help their children live a better life with dignity and respect.
Why would any legislation that this House passes attack health care available to families that are pouring in everything they have to help their child under difficult circumstances live the best possible life?
It perplexes me, Mr. Speaker, that this bill would go after the health care of people like Daniela And her five-year-old daughter.
Daniela says that as parents, we've faced many struggles, trying to balance full-time work, starting a real estate business, and still being there for our three other children.
It's been overwhelming at times, and finding the right support for her hasn't always been easy.
But Medicaid has provided therapy and services that have made a world of difference in her life.
These therapies have helped make progress, helped her make progress, feel seen, and connect with her peers, which means everything to us.
It's allowed her to be a part of the world, to feel included, and to overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable at times.
Medicaid has helped us give her the opportunities she deserves and millions of other children in the United States.
Mr. Speaker, Daniela lives in Colorado's 8th congressional district, a district currently represented by Congressman Gabe Evans, currently represented.
Mr. Speaker, we heard from Martha, who writes from Florida.
I have an adult daughter with developmental and intellectual disabilities who needs Medicaid for her medical care.
As a mom, I worry a lot about what the future will hold for her.
Will she have access to quality medical care when my husband is no longer able to provide for her?
Please support individuals like my daughter who are vulnerable and need our help.
Thank you from my heart.
Martha lives in Florida's 7th Congressional District, a district represented by our colleague, Mr. Speaker, Congressman Corey Mills.
I've heard from people from the heartland of this country.
In Indiana, Kim writes to us, Snap and Medicaid were lifelines when my children were younger, at least when I was able to get them.
As a single mom, working my way up from low-paying jobs, we often had too little food.
My dinner was the combined uneaten food from my four kids plates.
Even then, keeping benefits was difficult due to missing or late paperwork.
Faxes lost to the ether.
I sometimes worked three jobs and cried too often when the letter came saying benefits were suspended.
When that happens, you end up hungry for weeks until it's straightened out.
Kim lives in the 9th Congressional District of Indiana, Mr. Speaker.
He says, SNAP and Medicaid were lifelines when my children were younger, at least when I was able to get them.
Let me park right there for a moment because one of the arguments that I've consistently heard made, Mr. Speaker,
by our Republican colleagues on the other side of the aisle is that they weren't going after Medicaid recipients, that no benefits would be taken away as a result of these so-called work requirements.
Let's fact check that statement.
Every independent entity that has looked at this question, including the Congressional Budget Office, has made clear as a result of the one big, ugly bill, millions of Americans will lose their Medicaid benefits.
These so-called work requirements are just a smokescreen because more than 90% of the people who receive Medicaid benefits, who can work, do work right now in the United States of America.
Right now.
More than 90%.
What these impositions are are really paperwork requirements that are designed to make it harder for everyday Americans like Kim to access their benefits.
And as a result, millions of Americans who are eligible, who are hardworking, who are deserving, will lose their health care.
Kim says, I sometimes worked three jobs and cried too often when the letter came saying benefits were suspended.
As House Democrats, Mr. Speaker, we are here fighting for people like Kim and millions of others like her all across the United States of America who will lose Urgently necessary,
life-changing, and life-sustaining Medicaid benefits as a result of Donald Trump's one big, ugly bill.
We hear from Maria from Iowa in the great heartland of this country.
Maria writes to us in 2021, I got seriously sick with COVID.
I ended up in a coma for 12 days, spent three and a half weeks in the ICU, and then another three weeks on the recovery floor.
If it wasn't for Medicaid, I wouldn't have received any of the care I needed.
I honestly don't know where I'd be today.
I don't know what my family would have done.
Without Medicaid, I wouldn't have made it.
If I lost Medicaid, it would completely change my life.
I wouldn't be able to afford my insulin, diabetes medications, blood pressure medications, or see my endochronologist, all of which are life-sustaining treatments.
I also need to see my pulmonary specialist regularly.
Without Medicaid, my health would deteriorate rapidly.
That's a statement that applies to millions of Americans all across this great country who are at risk of losing their health care because this one big, ugly Republican bill has put a target on their back.
Mr. Speaker, without Medicaid, my health would deteriorate,
taking the time to share these stories because this is a question for so many Americans of life and death.
It's extraordinary that on the House floor, in the middle of the night, the American people are forced to confront a bill that targets their health care and will result in their well-being deteriorating.
More than 17 million Americans at risk of losing health care coverage and then tens of millions more experiencing increased premiums, co-pays, and deductibles as a result of the attack on health care in this bill.
Many of them will also lose coverage, lose their health care.
These are Americans on private insurance, employer-provided insurance, but because of the health care attacks in this bill, their premiums, their co-pays, their deductibles will go up.
Some will not be able to afford it, and they will lose their health care.
That's what this bill represents.
It's why I'm taking the time to share these stories and experiences and concerns and fears and anxieties of the American people.
I wish, Mr. Speaker, that we had a lot more time to debate this bill.
This is the type of bill that, under normal circumstances, we'd have hours and hours of debate where hundreds of members could participate on both sides of the aisle and share their thoughts, their perspectives, their ideas, their passionate support or passionate opposition.
But this bill, which, by some estimates, is larger than the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment And Jobs Act and the CHIPS And Science Act combine,
in terms of its possible impact on the debt in this country, increasing the debt by more than $3 trillion, saddling our children and grandchildren with that level of extraordinary debt by people who claim to be fiscally responsible.
The implications of this bill are enormous.
And yet, each side of the Ways and Means Committee was given 15 minutes to discuss the implications of this bill.
Each side of the budget committee was given 15 minutes to discuss the implications of this bill that will have devastating consequences for everyday Americans, while rewarding billionaires with massive tax breaks.
unidentified
breaks.
hakeem jeffries ▲ ● ▼
It had been my hope, Mr. Speaker, that we'd be able to have a robust debate, passionate support or passionate opposition in connection with this bill that hundreds of members on both sides of the aisle could participate in.
Instead, we have a limited debate where the relevant committees of jurisdiction have been given 15 minutes each on a bill of such significant magnitude as it relates to the health, the safety, and the well-being of the American people.
And because that debate was so limited, I feel the obligation, Mr. Speaker, to stand on this House floor and take my sweet time to tell the stories of the American people.
And that's exactly what I intend to do: take my sweet time on behalf of the American people, on behalf of their health care, on behalf of their Medicaid, on behalf of their nutritional assistance, on behalf of veterans, on behalf of farmers, on behalf of children, on behalf of seniors, on behalf of people with disabilities, on behalf of small businesses,
on behalf of every single American.
I'm on this House floor after 6 a.m. and I'm planning to take my sweet time.
Without Medicaid, I wouldn't have made it.
If I lost Medicaid, it would completely change my life.
It would also severely affect my husband with epilepsy.
Without Medicaid, he wouldn't be able to afford his seizure medications, which means he'd have seizures every week like he did before.
This would leave him unable to function or work.
Before he had Medicaid, he'd have a seizure.
And it would take him days to recover.
His health is inconsistent, which makes it hard for him to hold down a job.
I still have my house, my car, my husband, and my health.
Thank God for that.
But why should we have to struggle so hard just to live in a country with so much wealth?
I'm considered one of the lucky ones.
And yet I still struggle to make ends meet for the basics.
That's Maria pouring her heart out to us as members of Congress about her struggles.
She lives in Iowa's first congressional district, represented by our colleague, Mr. Speaker, Representative Marionette Miller-Meeks.
In a country with so much wealth, I'm considered one of the lucky ones.
And yet, I still struggle to make ends meet for the basics.
Maria makes this important point as we stand on the threshold of the 4th of July.
Thomas Jefferson, having written those immortal words in the Declaration of Independence, we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
They are endowed by their Creator with certain gentlemen with suspend.
unidentified
Members are reminded to take their conversations off the floor.
Close both sets of cloakroom doors, please.
Gentlemen's recognized.
hakeem jeffries ▲ ● ▼
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
If I'm not going to get any love for the other side of the aisle, I would expect that at least Thomas Jefferson would.
He wrote in the Declaration of Independence that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What is the pursuit of happiness in the United States of America here in the year of our Lord 2025?
Imagine a country where every single American can afford to live the good life.
Work hard, play by the rules, live the good life.
That's the American dream.
But our concern as Democrats is that in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, there are far too many people like Maria from Iowa who are unable to achieve that American dream.
Unable, despite working hard and playing by the rules, to live the good life, good paying job, good housing, good health care, good education for your children, and a good retirement.
That should not be too much to ask for here in the United States of America.
But instead of working to bring that American dream to life for the greatest number of people all across the country,
this one big ugly bill, Mr. Speaker, that our Republican colleagues are trying to jam down the throats of the American people will undermine their quality of life.
also here from Patrick, lives in the heartland of this country.
One of the good people of Iowa who says, I'm a registered nurse in the ICU at the VA Hospital in Iowa City.
I've worked as a nurse for 30 years, and I'm a native Iowan.
I have two disabled children who are on Medicaid.
My son had a severe brain injury as a child and requires extensive physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
My daughter is autistic and lives independently on housing provided by Medicaid.
Before we had Medicaid, we were bankrupt paying for their treatment.
We would go bankrupt again if Medicaid is cut.
These are complicated systems for people with very complicated needs.
These quote-unquote common-sense solutions they're coming up with are not based in reality.
People have tried these work requirements in the past, but even disabled or able-bodied people, we all have barriers from child care, transportation, transportation, transportation, transportation.
monetary limitations.
It's a foolish idea to think that this won't have a negative impact.
They're just trying to remove people from the program, and it's cruel.
Patrick, you are correct.
Thank you for your service as a registered nurse at the VA Hospital.
And thank you for all that you are doing to love and cherish your two disabled children who are on Medicaid.
And you're exactly right.
What is contemplated in this one big, ugly bill is wrong, it's dangerous, and it's cruel.
And cruelty should not be either the objective Or the outcome of legislation that we consider here in the United States House of Representatives.
Mr. Speaker, cruelty should never be the objective or the outcome of legislation that we consider here in the House of Representatives.
But it is cruel to take away Medicaid from the American people.
And that is why, as House Democrats, we will continue to show up and speak up and stand up in defense of the health care of the American people.
I'm thankful for all of my colleagues who are here, who throughout this process, a difficult process, have stood up over and over and over again on behalf of the health care of the American people.
Thankful for my colleagues in leadership, Whip Catherine Clark and Chair Pete Aguilar, and all of the members of House Democratic leadership.
Thankful for the leaders of every single committee who's been battling hard to push back against the cruelty that is in this one big, ugly bill.
Thankful for the leadership of Richie Neal.
Thankful for the leadership of Frank Palone.
Thankful for the leadership of Brendan Boyle.
Thankful for the leadership of Angie Craig.
I'm thankful for the leadership, the principal leadership of every single member of the House Democratic Caucus.
But above all else, I'm just thankful for the spirit, the heart, and soul of the American people who have risen up throughout this country to make it clear to all of us in this institution: keep your hands off our Medicaid.
Keep your hands off our health care, our Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act.
Keep your hands off our Medicaid.
That's why, Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to lift up stories on behalf of the American people.
Don't have the great privilege and honor to stand on this House floor, as all of us, Democrats and Republicans alike do, on behalf of the American people in this great institution, the House of Representatives.
But to me, what we are doing with this one big, ugly bill, this assault on health care on veterans, on nutritional assistance,
this assault on good paying, clean energy jobs, this assault on the high cost of living in the United States of America, all of it is inconsistent With the best of what this House of Representatives should be doing for such a time as this.
So I stand here on behalf of everyday Americans like Elizabeth, who's also from Iowa.
Elizabeth suffered from sepsis caused by untreated strep throat.
After waiting to receive care while uninsured and without paid sick leave, after receiving care she needed, she was able to apply for Medicaid and have her medical bills retroactively covered.
Now, Medicaid has allowed her to get access to essential and preventative health care.
Mr. Speaker, Elizabeth lives in the congressional district represented by our colleague Zach Nunn, Iowa's third congressional district.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for highlighting one of the concerns that all of us should have with this bill.
When you launch an all-out assault on the health care of the American people, when you effectively, in Medicaid, as we know it,
gut parts of the Affordable Care Act, what you essentially are doing by stripping health care away from the American people,
putting people like Elizabeth back in the position that she had previously been in, where she has untreated medical conditions that won't get better on its own.
It will likely get worse and lead to further medical complications.
Why would we do that to the American people?
That is wrong.
We should be lifting people up in this country, not tearing them down.
We should be lifting up everyday Americans, not tearing them down and putting them at risk of their life, their quality of life, their health, their well-being getting worse.
We hear from Becky from the great state of Louisiana.
By the way, Louisiana is a state with some of the highest percentages of Medicaid recipients of any state in the Union, Any state in the union.
And Louisiana is a state at risk of suffering greatly as a result of the all-out assault on Medicaid that is part of Donald Trump's one big ugly bill.
Becky tells us: I have had Medicaid for years, and without it, I wouldn't be able to afford to see my doctors or cover what Medicaid doesn't pay.
As a senior citizen, I now have to go back to work just to keep a roof over my head, afford rising food and utility costs, and maintain my car.
Meanwhile, the government keeps taking more and more out of my Social Security benefits.
Money I already paid taxes on while working.
Feels like the middle class no longer exists.
You're either rich or poor.
Politicians today have no real understanding of what it's like to struggle every single day.
If they had to live like regular people, maybe things would improve for seniors like me.
Becky lives in Louisiana's third congressional district, a district represented by our colleague, Mr. Speaker, Representative Clay Higgins.
Louisiana, a state, of course, also represented by my good friend and colleague, Congressman Troy Carter, who I see is here.
With us in the chamber, also Cleo Fields, another good friend and colleague.
Louisiana, a state that stands to suffer mightily as a result of this all-out assault on Medicaid.
Now, I heard my distinguished colleague, Mr. Speaker, the House Majority Leader, someone who personally respects his resilience, his perseverance, his journey.
I think he comes by his views in good faith.
It's his perspective.
the Speaker's perspective.
But many of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have made the representation that as House Democrats, we're not telling the truth to the American people about the devastating impact that Donald Trump's one big ugly bill,
a bill being rushed through this chamber, will have on the health and the well-being of people in Louisiana and all across the country.
They've accused us of fearmongering and making misrepresentations.
And so I was surprised to learn, Mr. Speaker, that the Louisiana State Legislature recently voted the Louisiana State Legislature that has a Republican supermajority.
The Louisiana State Legislature recently voted to condemn the one big ugly bill because of the extraordinary attack on Medicaid that will adversely impact their constituents.
unidentified
We're telling the truth.
hakeem jeffries ▲ ● ▼
This one big ugly bill will hurt everyday Americans in Louisiana and all across the country.
unidentified
Don't take our word for it.
Take the word of the Louisiana State Legislature.
hakeem jeffries ▲ ● ▼
Supermajority.
So we're here on the House floor, taking our sweet time to tell the stories of the American people and the adverse impact that trumps one big, ugly bill.
my House Republican colleagues, Mr. Speaker, are trying to jam down the throats of the American people, causing great harm to those who we should be working hard to protect,
love, and cherish, not adversely impact their ability to live and live life more abundantly.
Tamara, who lives in Louisiana's fourth congressional district, represented by the Speaker of this great House, I have depression and PTSD.
I'm unable to work and rely on Medicaid to get my monthly medications to keep me essentially alive.
Tamara, we're going to continue to fight hard on your behalf.
We heard from Emily, who lives in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Emily tells us that I had moved to Massachusetts in 2020 and was working a retail job for minimum wage.
I was unable to afford much, but the state thankfully approved me for SNAP assistance and Medicaid.
Without that jumpstart, I'm not sure where I would be today.
There shouldn't be shame or stigma surrounding these programs.
You never know when life will get pulled out from underneath you.
The relief when these programs can come to your aid is indescribable.
Emily lives in the 5th congressional district of Massachusetts, a district that is represented by the House Democratic Whip, Catherine Clark, who's a strong champion on your behalf, Emily, powerfully, ethically, principally, fighting hard on your behalf.
Casey lives in the 2nd Congressional District of Maine, a district represented by Congressman Jared Golden, thankful for Congressman Golden's service.
He served this nation with distinction overseas and has come back home to serve this nation in the United States Congress.
Casey writes, as a single mom of two young children and non-profit professional in rural Maine, Casey and her children rely on Medicaid and SNAP to live their lives.
The resources and stability provided by Medicaid and SNAP allowed Casey to leave her emotionally abusive husband and support her children.
Casey's seven-year-old son has ADHD and is on the autism spectrum, relies heavily on individualized support through Medicaid.
If Medicaid goes away, Casey doesn't know how their family will stay afloat.
The American people pouring into us, Democrats and Republicans in the United States House of Representatives, the People's House,
pouring into us with all of their heart, all of their soul, all of their authenticity, Pleading that this Congress would find it in our hearts to stand up for them and not stand up for billionaires,
which is what this one big, ugly bill is designed to accomplish.
Sarah writes to us from Michigan's 4th congressional district.
My daughter has a heart condition, and the fact that she's on Medicaid is the only way that we can pay for her doctor visits and medications.
I'm a widow, and money is very tight.
So the fact that I'm on Medicaid too is the only way that I can pay for my own visits and meds.
The loss of Medicaid for us would be absolutely devastating.
Mr. Speaker, Sarah lives in Michigan's fourth congressional district, a district currently represented by our colleague, Congressman Bill Huizengo.
The loss of Medicaid for us would be absolutely devastating.
That's the consequence of the GOP tax scam, this disgusting abomination, this reckless Republican budget.
Mr. Speaker, that Republicans were trying to jam down the throats of the American people during the dead of night.
It's extraordinary.
No legislation that we consider in the House of Representatives should be devastating for everyday Americans, either in its objective or in its outcome.
But as Democrats, we stand here in strong opposition to this one big, ugly bill because of the devastating consequences that will result to everyday Americans all across this great country.
Lucy writes to us from the heartland, from the great state of Michigan as well.
My brother is a developmentally disabled senior who lives in a group home.
Until the age of 59, he was cared for by our mother.
He cannot live on his own and has numerous health issues.
He depends on Medicaid.
Without Medicaid, his brothers and sisters could not support his medical care.
We're hearing from families all across the country, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters,
sons and daughters, husbands and wives, pleading with this Congress, pleading with House Republicans to stand up for their loved ones who are on Medicaid,
who are at risk of having their health care run over and their lives ruined by the consequences of Donald Trump's one big ugly bill.
Lucy lives in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, a district currently represented, Mr. Speaker, by our colleague, Representative Tom Barrett.
We've also heard from Sharon, who lives in Michigan.
My daughter is a young woman who was born with cerebral palsy, mild cognitive impairments, and autism.
She depends on Medicaid services for her health, safety, and well-being.
She's unable to work or take care of herself.
She's unable to work or care for herself without help.
Without Medicaid, she is totally at risk.
Cutting Medicaid to give tax cuts to wealthy billionaires is not only cruel and unethical, Sharon writes, but it puts vulnerable people, including children, at risk of severe mental and physical health problems.
Do the right thing and rescind the drastic cuts to Medicaid for vulnerable people with serious physical disabilities and people with serious and persistent mental health problems.
Mr. Speaker, Sharon lives in the 10th congressional district represented by our colleague, Congressman John James.
I don't know how the congressmen from the great state of Michigan will vote at the end of the day as it relates to defending people like Sharon.
But as Sharon writes, I know what I can say.
She says, do the right thing and rescind the drastic cuts to Medicaid for vulnerable people with serious physical disabilities and people with serious and persistent mental health problems.
Sharon, House Democrats will always do the right thing when it comes to your health, your safety, and your well-being, your Medicaid, and the love and care that you are working hard to provide to your daughter.
We will always do the right thing.
We're not perfect.
No one is.
But we will always strive to do the right thing on your behalf.
As I work through these stories in the Midwest, and it appears, Mr. Speaker, that I'm about halfway through the stories as it relates to Medicaid.
Medicaid.
Medicaid.
It appears that I'm halfway through the stories as it relates to Medicaid.
But the extraordinary thing about this bill is that it represents such an unprecedented assault on the American people that there are stories that need to be told as it relates to the attack on nutritional assistance for the American people.
unidentified
And I will tell those stories.
hakeem jeffries ▲ ● ▼
Stories that need to be told as it relates to the attack that has taken place on farmers in this country.
And I will tell those stories.
Stories that need to be told as it relates to the attack on small businesses in this country.
And I will tell those stories.
Stories that need to be told as it relates to the unprecedented assault on veterans in this country.
How dare this administration attack veterans who have served this country?
Instead of attacking veterans, we should make sure that every single veteran in this country can live with the dignity and respect that they've earned.
So there are stories that need to be told as it relates to the veterans in this country.
And there are stories that need to be told as it relates to law-abiding immigrant families.
unidentified
We have to secure our border.
hakeem jeffries ▲ ● ▼
We believe that we have a broken immigration system.
It should be fixed in a comprehensive and bipartisan way.
But we must also stand up for dreamers and farm workers and law-abiding immigrant families in this country.
We will not abandon our nation's heritage as a country of immigrants.
unidentified
Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.
hakeem jeffries ▲ ● ▼
It's part of what American exceptionalism has been all about.
So, stories that need to be told.
William writes to us from the great state of Minnesota.
So thankful for our colleagues from the Minnesota delegation fighting hard on behalf of that great state.
I'm a 57-year-old man living in central Minnesota.
I am a type 1 insulin-dependent diabetic, legally blind, and I suffer from severe nerve damage in my back and legs due to diabetes.
I rely on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP benefits to support myself.
Any reduction in these programs would severely impact my life and my ability to afford food, pay for my small apartment, and access medical care.
Without these benefits, I would be destitute.
William lives in Minnesota's sixth congressional district.
Mr. Speaker, a district represented by our colleague, Congressman Tom Emmer.
Say to William, I don't know what the majority whip will ultimately decide to do as it relates to this one big, ugly bill.
But we're going to stand up for the things that clearly matter to you.
We're going to stand up for Social Security, stand up for your Medicare, stand up for Medicaid, stand up for your SNAP benefits, and stand up for you.
I'd also note, parenthetically, it's not rhetorical that we are claiming to stand up for people like William, a 57-year-old man living in central Minnesota.
He notes two things that are of interest to me.
He says that I'm a type 1 insulin-dependent diabetic.
And then also says, I rely on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP benefits to support myself, which suggests to me that William actually may have been a beneficiary of some of the hard work that has taken place on this side of the aisle.
His life is not perfect.
There's still a lot of work that needs to be done.
But as a type 1 insulin-dependent diabetic who's also on Medicare, as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, His insulin at this point always and forever will be no more than $35 per month.
That's a down payment, William, on the type of work that we believe needs to be done because we are committed to lowering your costs.
Despite all the talk that comes from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, Mr. Speaker, on day one, promising to lower the high cost of living, costs would go down on day one.
Costs haven't gone down.
Mr. Speaker, in the United States of America, costs are going up.
Life remains far too expensive.
And as a result of some of the reckless policies coming out of the Trump administration, including the Trump tariffs, on again, off again, creating so much uncertainty, but certainly will result in thousands of dollars per year in additional costs on everyday Americans.
We're committed to lowering the high cost of living.
We're committed to making sure that every single person in this country can afford to live the good life.
Good paying job, good housing, good health care, good education for their children, and a good retirement.
We're committed to working hard to make sure that every single American like William can afford to live the good life.
This one big ugly bill does the exact opposite.
Doesn't make life more affordable, Mr. Speaker.
It makes life more expensive.
unidentified
The gentleman suspend.
House will be in order.
As the caffeine kicks in, please take your conversations outside the chamber or in the cloakroom.
Gentlemen's recognized.
hakeem jeffries ▲ ● ▼
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Without Medicaid, Heather from the great state of Minnesota writes, Without Medicaid, my three kids and I would have no insurance.
I couldn't afford my epilepsy and schizophrenia medications.
My kids wouldn't have access to health care, including ER visits, physicals, vaccinations, and dental cleanings.
Heather lives in Minnesota's 8th congressional district, represented by our colleague, Mr. Speaker, Congressman Peter Stauber.
Lynn writes to us from Missouri, the Show Me State, a state ably represented by Representative Emmanuel Cleaver and Representative Wesley Bell.
Lynn writes to us, says that, I'm a widow near 70 with very little family left And have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
I have an adult son, severely disabled.
He already has lost transportation services due to low Medicaid funding.
And if Medicaid is cut, it will be disastrous for my situation.
Lynn knows that this one big, ugly bill puts a target on the back of Medicaid.
One of the senators from the great state of Missouri, Senator Josh Hawley, spent months warning about the damage that Donald Trump's one big ugly bill would do to the people of Missouri as a result of the all-out assault on Medicaid,
and then turned around and voted to cut Medicaid from his constituents.
So shocking, it's so disappointing.
So heartbreaking for many Americans that a lot of people in the House of Representatives, Mr. Speaker, a lot of people in the Senate have talked a good game about Medicaid, but then turned around and done nothing to protect it.
That's shameful.
It disgusts me because I want to believe in the good faith of every member to look out for the people that they are privileged to serve.
Donald Trump's one big ugly bill, an all-out assault on health care, an all-out assault on Medicaid, the largest cut to Medicaid in American history.
This legislation will end Medicaid as we know it.
Millions of people will lose their health care.
Hospitals will close, including in rural America.
People will lose their nursing homes, one in four nursing homes may close as a result of this dangerous and extreme Republican budget.
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