Defending Social Services and Programs

Floor Speech

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Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and hosting this important Special Order hour on a topic that impacts many of my constituents in north Texas.

Since day one, the Trump administration has targeted essential social services that make government unreliable for all Americans: veterans, people with disabilities, seniors, and our children. All of these people and more rely on government to survive and all President Trump wants to do is cut, cut, and cut.

Let's call it what it is: It is a full on assault of the most essential lifelines millions of Americans count on, especially Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. They are right in the crosshairs of this administration.

The Trump administration and Republicans in this House are pushing cuts to the programs that Texans rely on every day. These aren't just numbers in a budget; they are difference between stability and catastrophe for hundreds of thousands of my constituents.

In Texas alone, more than 4 million people rely on Medicaid for healthcare, including half of the children in our State. Let me remind you, this is a State of 32 million people. Half of the children in our State rely on Medicaid, one out of every two kids in Texas.

When Trump proposes gutting it, he is not just slashing spending, he is taking away critical healthcare from children, from seniors in nursing homes, and people with disabilities who depend on it to survive.

Today, in the Capitol, one of my dear friends is here visiting who runs a hospice company. They provide dignity of care to people at the end of their life. They provide necessary comfort for families as they are trying to deal with these situations. End of life care is the most expensive part of our healthcare system. Companies like hospice companies provide a necessary but much more affordable access to the end of life with dignity for families, and they rely on Medicaid. They rely on Medicare to stay in business to help families and so many people in need.

We still have to talk about Social Security. Over 4 million Texans, retirees, veterans, widows, and people with disabilities rely on Social Security to keep the lights on, keep food on the table, and pay their bills. It is not a luxury; it is a promise this country made to working people. If you pay in, you can retire with dignity, but Trump's budget says otherwise.

He is talking about entitlement reform. That is Washington speak for cuts. Cuts that would hit rural communities, communities of color, and low-income seniors the hardest.

Let me be crystal clear: Texas already ranks 43rd in the Nation in access to healthcare. It is a statistic I am not proud of from my State. We lead the Nation in uninsured adults. We also lead the Nation in maternal mortality and infant mortality, two statistics the Republicans in our State should be embarrassed of.

Now, Trump and Republicans want to make it worse. It is cruel, it is reckless, and it is dead wrong.

This isn't about balancing a budget; it is about priorities. Donald Trump's priorities are tax breaks for his buddies while working families are told to tighten their belts. We should be expanding care, not slashing it. We should be protecting retirement security, not playing games with the futures of people who worked their entire lives.

Texas families are watching and we will not let this administration destroy the programs that protect our health, our security, and our basic dignity. I urge my colleagues, especially my Republican colleagues, you represent the same people I do, hardworking folks trying to make ends meet, trying to provide a life for their kids.

If you went to your townhalls, you would see people standing up, speaking out. They don't want this. The people in this country don't want this. My message to you is that Democrats are standing up. We are doing everything we can to protect you, your family, and your kids in the right for safety, justice, and your right to pursue the American Dream.

Mr. Speaker, Texans and all Americans deserve better.

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