WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) blasted the House Republican “Billionaire Boondoggle” bill that would rip health care coverage away from at least 14 million Americans including children, seniors and people with disabilities, while ballooning the nation’s debt to give massive tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans like Elon Musk. The revised version of the bill also would further slash Medicare despite promises from Republicans and President Trump that it was “off the table.” Huge cuts to food assistance will also leave children and families in the lurch at a time of rising prices.

“The billionaire tax giveaway will hit Floridians particularly hard, as 3.9 million rely on Medicaid and 4.6 million rely on Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage. The GOP bill takes health care away from children, seniors, pregnant and postpartum women, and people with disabilities to fund a massive tax break for billionaires and big corporations. That is fiscally irresponsible and morally wrong. The bill is chock full of special interest side deals and carve-outs that Republicans tried to hide by having most debate in the wee hours of the morning,” said Rep. Castor. “Medicaid and the ACA are a lifeline for millions of my neighbors back home in Florida. Slashing essential care means more Floridians will struggle to afford doctor visits, medications, long-term care and critical treatments needed to stay healthy and keep their heads above water. I have fought their shameful attempts to steal from Americans through the night and will not stop fighting to protect the health and well-being of my hardworking neighbors.”

In addition to deeply damaging health care cuts, the Republican plan threatens nutrition assistance for almost 3 million Floridians by slashing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at a time when families are struggling with high grocery prices and still rebuilding their lives after the devastating hurricanes.

The plan also threatens numerous initiatives that are lowering costs for American families, including clean energy investments from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA). 

Rep. Castor is committed to fighting back against this reckless Billionaire Boondoggle bill and standing up for Florida families.