Van Hollen Statement on Republican Budget to Fund Tax Cuts for the Ultra-Rich at the Expense of All Other Americans

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on his opposition to Senate Republicans’ budget resolution that paves the way to rip away services from the American people to fund tax breaks for the ultra-rich. Senator Van Hollen supported several amendments to the resolution, including one that was taken up for a vote and blocked by Republicans that would have prevented funding cuts to the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs to pay for their billionaire tax giveaway. Video of the Senator introducing his amendment on the Senate floor can be viewed here.

“Today, we witnessed Donald Trump and the Republicans’ Great Betrayal of the American people take shape right before our eyes. On the campaign trail Trump said he was going to focus on bringing down costs for everyday Americans. Instead, prices are rising and Senate Republicans passed a budget that lays the groundwork to slash vital services for the American people while handing over Trump’s wish list of tax cuts for the ultra-rich. Democrats offered amendment after amendment to bring down the costs of essentials like housing and groceries and stop Republicans from giving a tax windfall to billionaires and cutting Medicare, Medicaid, school lunch programs for kids, and more – but they rejected every one of them. It’s clear that Musk’s takeover of federal agencies has nothing to do with government efficiency and everything to do with rigging the government for Musk and the other billionaires who lined up behind Trump at his inauguration just 32 days ago. 

“While Trump and Republicans attempt to usher in a ‘golden age’ for the already rich and powerful, we will continue to fight for a government and an economy that works for all Americans.”