"Families Not Billionaires" Rally Demands Accountability from Congressman John James in Budget Fight

In response to Congressman John James’s vote to make massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to pay for tax breaks for billionaires, Michigan Families for Fair Care and For Our Future gathered with his constituents to call on the congressman to reverse these harmful cuts to vital social programs by voting against the Republican budget, which continues down a path of harm. 

“SNAP is already restricted without making food harder to access. Now they want to plan to make it harder. Why? Why are we making food — a human right — inaccessible?” said Stephanie Ruble of Feeding Michigan. “What does forcing people to go hungry and get sick do? I wish I could ask John James, but guess where he is? Your guess is as good as mine. He came and visited my food pantry, and he said to my seniors that he would protect them, but in fact, he has done the opposite. He has harmed them. He does not show up for his district, and he has done nothing to protect us.”

Congressman John James (MI-10) voted for the Republican Tax Law, which handed massive benefits to the ultra-wealthy while forcing cuts to critical programs that Michigan families depend on. These cuts to Medicaid and SNAP have made it harder for working families to afford basic necessities, especially as prices continue to rise nationwide. Now, a budget fight is intensifying, which is why Michiganders are demanding that Congressman John James reverse his harmful cuts and prioritize working families over wealthy donors

“We have a copay on our Medicare and Medicaid, which I cannot afford. I make the bare minimum on disability, and I am afraid of losing my prescriptions, my seizure medication, and important medication I've been on for my entire life,” said Warren resident Rebecca Zainos. 

“The point of service in elected office is to improve the lives of your neighbors who have given you the responsibility to make decisions on their behalf,” said Mount Clemens City Commissioner Spencer Calhoun. “Cutting thousands of people in Macomb County off of their health insurance is wholly irresponsible. That's what John James is doing. We've already seen health clinics and rural hospitals beginning to roll back services. Schools are trying to figure out how they're going to operate their school lunch programs, because of SNAP cuts. To put it bluntly, as this budget passes, children will starve and people will die, and all this is so that the ultra-wealthy can get a handout that they don't even need. This budget isn't just bad for patients, it’s also bad for working people in our community.”