Democratic lawmakers call on House Republicans to stop hyper-partisan games, deliver real relief and job security for Michiganders

LANSING, Mich., May 23, 2025 — The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the Republican “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — coined by Democrats as the “Billionaire Bailout Bill” — early Thursday morning, moving a devastating tax plan through Congress that would increase benefits for the ultra wealthy, while keeping the boot on everyday Michiganders’ necks. As Michigan House Republicans continue to avoid working toward a finalized budget that doesn’t defund crucial programs, Michigan House Democrats are calling on House Speaker Matt Hall to work in good faith with the Senate to put forth a budget Michiganders can depend on.

“The July 1 deadline for a finalized state budget to be passed is quickly approaching, and Michigan school districts, teachers and students are counting on us to deliver, but House Republicans are holding up the process to play political games,” Democratic Floor Leader John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming). “The Federal Republican’s tax plan is an imminent threat to everyday Michigan families’ health care and ability to afford everyday needs, let alone thrive in our state. This is even more reason why we need a serious budget plan here in Michigan that invests in job security and saving people’s hard-earned dollars. The longer the Speaker refuses to get this job done, the more people’s livelihoods he puts at risk.”

Much like the Michigan House Republican budget plan, the U.S. House budget bill would defund health and food assistance programs on multiple fronts, including a $267 billion cut from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and a $698 billion cut from Medicaid — putting almost 3 million Michiganders at risk of losing health insurance coverage. 

“Congressional Republicans are stripping away health care coverage from millions of people and taking food out of the mouths of starving children, all so the wealthiest people in our country can buy another yacht, private jet or space rocket,” said state Rep. Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor). “Michigan House Republicans actually beat Congressional Republicans to the punch, completely defunding our state’s Department of Health and Human Services and taking away school breakfast and lunch for our kids with the budget they passed on March 6. In contrast, Michigan Democrats stand ready to negotiate a serious budget that actually addresses Michiganders’ concerns about the cost of daily living expenses like health care and food, which are also being squeezed by Trump’s tariffs.”

Federal cuts to Medicaid also pose a threat to Michigan public schools, which received over $160 million in federal Medicaid dollars in 2023 alone, helping support students with disabilities and mental health struggles succeed in the classroom. 

“I, along with my Democratic colleagues, are fighting for a budget that invests in people’s lives, health, education and housing. On the other hand, Michigan House Republicans see the devastating federal cuts and still push to pass a budget that defunds public schools and raises costs on everyday people,” state Rep. Tonya Myers Phillips (D-Detroit). “People’s lives and health are literally on the line. It is wrong, immoral and cruel to hold up the budget and sacrifice people’s lives and jobs in pursuit of political power”

This federal bill would, on average, make Michiganders earning less than $51,000 a year lose out on $700 to $1,000 dollars, all while still being projected to increase the federal deficit by $3.8 trillion between 2026 and 2034. 

“Michiganders are already dealing with rising health care costs. Now, the U.S. Congress is moving full steam ahead to gut Medicare funding by half a million, throwing seniors under the bus,” state Rep. Jasper Martus (D-Flushing). “With the July 1 deadline fast approaching, we are calling on House Republicans to stop putting politics over the people we serve, sit down at the negotiating table with the Senate and help us pass a forward-thinking state budget that delivers real relief to Michigan families.”

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