Pallone Slams Trump’s Big, Ugly Bill as “Outright Disaster” for New Jersey

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement today in response to Senate Republicans’ updated tax and health care legislation:

“This bill is an outright disaster for New Jersey. Republicans in Congress are pushing the largest health care cuts in American history just to hand massive tax breaks to billionaires, and they’re doing it at the expense of working families in our state.

“According to new estimates, 363,000 New Jerseyans stand to lose their health care under this plan. That means hundreds of thousands of people in our state will no longer be able to afford to see a doctor, get their prescriptions filled, or receive preventive screenings. It will raise premiums, gut Medicaid (New Jersey FamilyCare), and force hospitals, especially those serving low-income communities, to close their doors.

“And it doesn’t stop there. The bill would defund Planned Parenthood, sabotage the Affordable Care Act by making hard to sign up for health care and drive-up medical debt across the country. Meanwhile, Republicans are using those same health care cuts to give away $5 billion to Big Pharma and extend tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. It’s a reverse Robin Hood scheme – taking from those who need care just to reward those who already have more than enough.

“On top of the health care sabotage, the bill undermines our progress on climate change by repealing investments from the Inflation Reduction Act that are lowering energy bills and creating clean energy jobs in New Jersey. It guts funding for the Inflation Reduction Act programs at the Environmental Protection Agency. All while giving more handouts to polluters.

“New Jersey families deserve better than a cruel, backroom deal that sells out their health and their future to pay off corporate interests. I’ll keep fighting this bill with everything I’ve got.”

Trump’s Big, Ugly bill is expected for a vote in the U.S. House today July 2.