Thanks for Nothing: Barrett, Huizenga And James Vote To Threaten Social Security, Medicare, And Medicaid For Michigan Families

Congressmen Bill Huizenga, Tom Barrett and John James today voted for legislation that threatens Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for Michigan families who depend on those programs. The measure will prohibit the government from spending more than it takes in, while making it nearly impossible to raise taxes on the wealthy, all but guaranteeing that future shortfalls would be made up through cuts to the programs Michigan working families rely on most.

“Congressmen Barrett, Huizenga and James just voted to put Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid on the chopping block and they did it to protect tax breaks for billionaires who don’t need them. They already cut Medicaid and food assistance for thousands of their own constituents.” said Sheila, a Lansing-area resident and Congressman Barrett constituent. “Now they’ve made it even harder for a future Congress to raise taxes on the wealthy to protect the programs people here have paid into their entire working lives. Michigan families are watching, and they deserve representatives who actually fight for them, not ones who keep finding new ways to threaten the benefits they’ve earned and need to live.” 

This vote is part of a clear pattern. Barrett, Huizenga, and James already voted for the Republican Tax Law, which cut billions from Medicaid and food assistance to fund permanent tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Today’s vote doubles down on those wrong priorities, locking in a system where it’s easy to keep cutting taxes for the rich with, but cutting Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid becomes the path of least resistance when the bills come due. For the veterans, seniors, and working families across Michigan’s 4th, 7th and 10th Congressional Districts who count on these programs. That is not an abstract threat, but a dangerous reality.