Congressman Danny K. Davis Denounces Harmful Budget Cuts Favoring the Wealthy at the Expense of Essential Services

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) today strongly condemned the passage of the House Republican budget, which enacts substantial tax cuts favoring the affluent while imposing severe reductions on critical programs. The budget, narrowly approved by a 217-215 vote, proposes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts over the next decade, disproportionately benefiting high-income individuals. To offset these cuts, the budget mandates at least $2 trillion in spending reductions, adversely affecting vulnerable populations, particularly in Illinois's 7th Congressional District. In addition, these cuts target programs that support low and middle-income families, effectively redistributing resources from the most vulnerable to the most affluent.

Favoring the Wealthy at the Expense of the Many

"Budgets are moral documents, and this one makes it painfully clear that working families, seniors, and the most vulnerable members of our society are not a priority," stated Congressman Danny K. Davis. "This budget not only strips away necessary resources but also exacerbates social and economic inequities by directly attacking the social determinants of health-factors like healthcare access, education, economic stability, housing, and community support that determine well-being."

Severe Impact on the 7th District and the Nation

The budget proposes $880 billion in Medicaid cuts over the next decade, endangering healthcare access for nearly 80 million Americans, including thousands in Illinois's 7th District. These cuts disproportionately impact low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, worsening health disparities and increasing preventable hospitalizations.

Additionally, the budget:

• Jeopardizes Education and Workforce Development:The House Committee on Education and the Workforce is directed to identify $330 billion in cuts, potentially affecting federal funding for public education, Pell Grants, and job training programs. These reductions could lead to larger class sizes, decreased access to higher education for low-income students, and diminished support for workforce development initiatives, hindering economic mobility and widening income inequality in Chicago and beyond.
• Jeopardizes Nutrition and Food Security:Mandating the House Committee on Agriculture to find at least $230 billion in cuts, largely from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the budget increases food insecurity, particularly among children and seniors. In Illinois, nearly 1.8 million residents rely on SNAP benefits to meet their nutritional needs.
• Reduces Housing Security:The budget includes significant cuts to affordable housing programs, with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) facing potential staff reductions of up to 50%, affecting critical services such as rental assistance and homelessness support. These cuts threaten housing stability for low-income families, potentially increasing homelessness and housing insecurity in the 7th District.
• Weakens Community Safety:The House Republican budget proposes eliminating the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, which has provided $1.1 billion since 2016 to fund over 8,200 law enforcement positions. Additionally, the budget includes a $1.3 billion cut to the Department of Justice, potentially reducing federal agents, analysts, and prosecutors, weakening efforts to combat crime and national security threats.
• Undermines Public Health Efforts:Funding cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) threaten critical programs addressing mental health and addiction crises, disproportionately impacting communities of color. The budget's exact figures for these reductions are unspecified, but the anticipated decrease in funding could severely limit access to essential mental health services.
• Reduces IRS Funding:The House Republican budget includes $20 billion in IRS cuts, reducing tax enforcement against wealthy evaders and leading to an estimated $44 billion revenue loss, increasing the deficit by $24 billion. It also results in 7,000 IRS layoffs, weakening tax compliance.
• Small businesses: The budget cuts SBA funding by 5%, eliminating vital technical-assistance grants. Additionally, if the 2017 tax cuts expire, 6 million jobs could be lost.

A Call for a Just and Equitable Budget

Congressman Danny K. Davis urges the U. S. Senate to reject this inequitable budget and instead pass legislation that invests in health, education, housing, and economic opportunity rather than providing disproportionate benefits to the wealthy at the expense of essential services. "We must adopt a budget that reflects our collective values-one that uplifts all Americans and fosters equitable growth. I remain committed to advocating for policies that ensure no one is left behind,"Davis concluded.