America deserves better than this bill, which represents an unconscionable stripping away of benefits from those who are most in need to provide tax cuts for wealthy corporations.
This bill slashes SNAP benefits that feed those who will now go hungry. It limits Medicaid and Affordable Care Act benefits for those who will now go without needed medical care. Families who lose SNAP eligibility also risk losing access to school meals for their children, and children who are hungry or in need of medical attention do not come to school ready to learn. Our students and their families will suffer because of the harmful provisions in this bill.
This bill also creates a tax-credit voucher scheme that will divert $25 billion to private schools with no public accountability. Public schools educate the vast majority of children in our country, and taxpayer dollars should support public schools that are open to all students—not private institutions that can select whom they serve.
At a time when a nationwide teacher shortage is already straining our schools, this bill makes it even more difficult for young people to choose a career in education. It eliminates affordable student loan repayment options, ends programs that provide federal student loans to graduate schools, and imposes new taxes on scholarships and fellowships.
Teachers go into education because we believe strongly in the American dream and want all our students to be able to access opportunities to improve their lives. Unfortunately, this bill makes it more difficult for students to pursue their educational aspirations, as they will now have to focus more time and energy on meeting basic needs for food and medical care.
Teaching comes with incredible challenges, and this bill adds significantly to them—with no benefit to our students. Thank you to our Connecticut congressional delegation for holding the line and working to defend our public schools. Educators will continue to stand up for our students and their families and work alongside our colleagues across the country to elect leaders like our members of Congress from Connecticut who are committed to making sure our nation is a place where food, healthcare, and education are priorities, not luxuries, and where every child can succeed and thrive.
