Amo Shares Rhode Islander’s Story to Defend Medicaid from Planned Republican Cuts

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01), a member of the House Budget Committee, once again slammed the latest Republican budget resolution, which threatens devastating cuts to critical programs. In his remarks, Amo spoke about the story of Al, a 74-year-old resident of East Providence who relies on Medicaid and Medicare to make ends meet.

"Despite the overwhelming majority crying out for everyday Americans over the whims of billionaires, clearly Republicans don't care about the facts or figures. So maybe they'll listen to my constituent Al," said Congressman Gabe Amo, a member of the House Committee on Budget, on the House Floor. "Al is a 74-year-old resident of an assisted living facility in East Providence. He is petrified that Republican cuts will force him on the street. Al needs Medicare and Medicaid to make ends meet. Even with assistance, he lives on $120 a month - $30 a week. It's not fear mongering to say Republican plans would hurt Al."

Watch Congressman Amo's remarks HERE

BACKGROUND
Congressman Amo serves on the House Committee on the Budget to fight for budget priorities that reflect Rhode Island values and the needs of working families across the country. The committee is also the first step in the reconciliation process the Republican House majority is using to push the Trump Tax Scam 2.0 - a plan that could cut key programs like SNAP and Medicaid.

On February 25, 2025, Congressman Amo took to the House Floor to slam the Republican budget resolution that threatens devastating cuts to critical programs.

On February 24, 2025, Congressman Amo submitted two amendments to the House Committee on Rules to protect SNAP and affirm that Medicaid is a critical program for more than 306,000 Rhode Island residents.

On February 19, 2025, Congressman Amo visited the Barrington Peck Center for Adult Enrichment where he spoke about his support for critical programs like Medicare and Medicaid. There, Congressman Amo discussed his work on the Budget Committee to protect these programs from Republican cuts.

On February 20, 2025,Congressman Gabe Amo joined Dean Ashish Jha of Brown University's School of Public Health to reaffirm his support for funding health care facilities that provide comprehensive primary care to medically underserved communities, as well as his work to protect critical funding for medical research and public health programs under threat due to cuts by the Trump administration.

During the House Budget Committee markup on February 13, 2025, Congressman Amo offered two amendments to support protecting and extending Medicare's solvency as well as protect SNAP, the Community Eligibility Provision, the School Breakfast Program, and the National School Lunch Program.

The Republican budget resolution directs specific committees to achieve spending cuts or increases. Republicans leaked menu of options includes:

• At least $880 billion in cuts for the Energy and Commerce Committee, which could target Medicaid, Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium assistance, and repeal Inflation Reduction Act policies.
• At least $330 billion in cuts for the Education and Workforce Committee, which could target student loan programs, income driven repayment, and Pell grants, Head Start, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
• At least $230 billion in cuts for the Agriculture Committee, which could target SNAP.
• At least $50 billion in cuts for the Oversight Committee, which could target government employee retirement benefits and changes to federal workforce.
• At least $10 billion in cuts for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which could target restricting Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, Essential Air Service, increasing the "tonnage tax" on cargo, and raiding the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.
• At least $1 billion in cuts for the Financial Services Committee, which could target the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and funding for financial regulators.
• At least $1 billion in cuts for the Natural Resources Committee, which could include expanded oil and gas leasing and the repeal of Inflation Reduction Act policies.
• Up to $4.5 trillion in new spending for the Ways and Means Committee, which could include tax cuts for the top one percent, repeal of Inflation Reduction Act policies, cuts to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Social Services Block Grant, cuts in Medicare payments to providers, and cuts to ACA premium assistance.

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