ICYMI: [VIDEO] Rep. Omar Sounds Alarm on Catastrophic Big Ugly Budget Bill on Minnesotans

MINNEAPOLIS– Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) hosted a press conference in Minneapolis to sound the alarm on the catastrophic impacts the Big Ugly budget bill will have on Minnesotans. The Congresswoman was joined by local and state leaders to share the widespread impacts this bill will have across our state. 

The full video can be found here.

Full transcript below:

“I wish we were gathered under different circumstances. 

“But today, we’re here to speak the truth about the GOP budget bill that will devastate the very people we fight for.

 “The bill Republicans passed is one of the most harmful, immoral budgets we’ve seen in modern American history. 

“It is a direct assault on working families in Minnesota and across this country. 

“Let me tell you what this bill does. 

“It slashes Medicaid, kicking 17 million Americans off their healthcare plans, thousands of whom are in this district. 

“The bill rips 186 billion dollars from SNAP. 

“That’s food off the tables of seniors, children, and single moms.

“People who are already struggling to get by. 

“Here in the 5th district, nearly 90,000 people rely on SNAP.  

“I’ve spoken to them and many are now asking how do I feed my kids and still pay bills? 

“This is the United States of America. 

“No one should ever have to make that choice.

“And while families are being told to tighten their belts, billionaires are getting a windfall. 

“Permanent tax cuts for the rich.  

“Temporary scraps for everyone else.  

“This is the largest upward transfer of wealth in our lifetime. 

“It makes the rich richer and leaves working people behind.

 “Republicans love to call themselves the party of the working class but this bill proves otherwise.  

“It threatens nearly 2 million construction jobs, including 800,000 green jobs, and could erase 148 billion dollars in wages and benefits. 

“That’s not a working-class agenda.

“It also cuts 300 billion dollars in education programs. 

“It drives up student debt and slams the door shut on millions of young people who simply want a chance at a better future.  

“This district is home to one of the youngest constituencies in the country, including the University of Minnesota. 

“This bill tells them you’re on your own.

“And for what? 

“To hand over 150 billion dollars to immigration enforcement.  

“45 billion dollars for ICE jails, more than 13 times their current budget.  

“We’re already seeing reports of new detention centers like “Alligator Alcatraz” being built in Florida.  

“We are being told, again and again, that we can’t afford universal healthcare, quality education, or universal school meals. 

“But somehow, we can always afford another detention center or tax cuts for the rich.

“The American people do not want this budget.  

“But Republicans rammed it through anyway in the middle of the night because they know it won’t stand up to public scrutiny.

“And here’s the kicker, they delayed most of the cuts until 2027.  

“Why? Because they know just how deeply unpopular this bill is.

“We’ve seen what happens when the powerful put profits over people. 

“But we’ve also seen what happens when working people, immigrants, students, parents, and neighbors come together and refuse to be ignored. 

“That’s the spirit of Minnesota’s Fifth District.

“We do have people power and we’re going to keep fighting for a country that invests in children, that feeds families, and expands opportunity.