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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, in the midst of a marathon—20-plus-hour—fight over the Republican “One Big Ugly” budget bill, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) received a commendation on the House Floor from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and a standing ovation from her House Democratic colleagues for her courage, persistence, and resilient spirit in returning to the Floor against medical advice to oppose the bill.

Beatty, who arrived on the House Floor shortly after 5 a.m., joined her Democratic colleagues fighting in the multi-hour debate over the Republican “One Big Ugly” budget bill. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries publicly praised Beatty’s commitment during the proceedings, recognizing her decision to defy medical recommendations to return to the Capitol as a powerful example of service and sacrifice.

“Thank you, Joyce Beatty, for your courage, your strength, and your resilience on behalf of the people that you represent in the great state of Ohio, and people all across the country, said Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “That’s what we do. That’s how Democrats do. And you’re leading by example. And I can tell stories about every single one of us. who in this moment recognizes that we have to keep rising to the occasion. Because an extraordinary assault has been launched against the American people.”

See the video of this commendation HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06), and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) introduced the bipartisan Financial Empowerment and Protection Act, legislation to remove barriers to the financial information and access often necessary for people to leave abusive relationships safely.

“Financial control is often used to trap victims of abuse and prevent them from moving forward,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “This critical legislation puts power back in the hands of women and men in abusive situations, ensuring equal access to and control over shared household finances. Every individual deserves financial transparency in their romantic relationships, along with the tools to live independently. I’m proud to join Congressman Casten in advancing this bill to empower couples with equal financial rights so that everyone has the freedom to live a secure, independent life if they so choose.”

 

“Far too often, we hear of victims of abuse who feel trapped in their situation due to limited or no insight into their household finances,” said Congressman Casten. “This bipartisan legislation, which came out of one such story from a constituent who called my office, aims to take away that lever of control from an abuser, empowering women in these situations to make their own financial decisions.”

 

“Financial control is one of the most common—and devastating—tools used by abusers to trap their victims,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “When someone can’t access the bills in their own home or the accounts they rely on for housing or childcare, it becomes nearly impossible to leave safely. The Financial Empowerment and Protection Act takes meaningful, bipartisan action to fix that. By ensuring equal access to shared household accounts and removing penalties for leaving unsafe housing, this bill gives survivors a real chance to reclaim their independence and start fresh.”

 

“Survivors of domestic violence deserve safety, financial stability and broader economic security. As the Trump Administration attempts to defund programs for survivors in its war on diversity, equity, and inclusion, maintaining their access to shared accounts, such as utility and mortgage accounts, is just one way survivors can preserve their economic well-being. Providing survivors with the ability to sever rental agreements without further financial penalties in the event of violence supports survivors’ ability to seek safety,” said Sharita Gruberg, vice president of the economic justice team at the National Partnership for Women & Families. “The Financial Empowerment and Protection Act would give power back to survivors by providing them with the tools to regain or retain their independence. We are grateful to Representatives Casten, Beatty, and Kiggans for their tremendous efforts to support survivors and their families.”

 

“Too often, survivors fear the financial repercussions of their decision to leave—and every survivor trapped by an abuser deserves the chance to break free,” said Stefan Turkheimer, Vice President for Public Policy at Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). “The Financial Empowerment and Protection Act will change lives by offering survivors a way out. RAINN is proud to support this bipartisan effort, which provides protections—like equal access to joint accounts and relief from lease termination penalties when fleeing abuse—that help remove barriers to safety and security.”

 

Under the Financial Empowerment and Protection Act, mortgage lenders, landlords, utility providers, and childcare providers would be required to offer joint accounts for cohabitating or co-parenting couples. 

 

Oftentimes, abusive partners use financial limitations as a method of control to prevent a victim from leaving the situation. This means that people leaving abusive relationships may have limited account access to pay their own bills and may lose access to housing and childcare. Domestic violence shelters report that information about financial and household accounts is commonly withheld during the dissolution of abusive relationships. 

 

The Financial Empowerment and Protection Act would circumvent this, allowing victims equal insight into their household finances.

 

This bill is endorsed by the National Organization for Women, the National Partnership for Women & Families, and RAINN.

 

Text of the legislation can be found here. A section-by-section summary of the legislation can be found here.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –  Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) today issued the following statement regarding the passage of the Republican “One Big Ugly” budget bill:

“Today, House Republicans forced through their One Big Ugly Bill, enacting cruel cuts that will devastate millions of Americans after over 20 hours of floor debate. I joined my Democratic colleagues on the House Floor in the early morning hours of the debate and voted NO in fierce opposition. This bill may have passed, but the fight for everyday Americans is far from over. I will keep standing up for our communities against this brutal betrayal.

Budgets are moral documents, and this one was morally bankrupt. It forces through the largest cut to Medicaid and nutritional assistance in American history, gutting billions from food aid for children, seniors, and families. Americans will be forced to forgo lifesaving health care, and lives will be lost. Children, veterans, and seniors will go to bed hungry in the richest country in the world. Meanwhile, billionaires will keep getting richer while everyday Americans struggle just to get by.

What this means for Ohioans in the Third District and our state:

• Health care and Food Assistance in Ohio:
  • More than 489,000 people will lose their health care
  • 11 rural hospitals are at risk of shutting their doors
  • 1.4 million Ohioans who rely on SNAP will be at risk
  • The Ohio budget will be hit, as the state will be left with millions of dollars in funding gaps created by Republicans’ decision to shift federal SNAP costs onto states.
• Health care and Food Assistance in the Third District
  • Affordable Care Act enrollees will see their health insurance premiums increase by an average of $670
  • 72,000 people in OH-03 who rely on SNAP will be at risk
• Other living costs and protections
  • Ohio families will see an average yearly increase of $410 in their energy bills
  • 126,174 students in Ohio could have their Pell grants cut or eliminated entirely, including 31,868 students in OH-03

And that’s just the beginning. Let’s be honest, this bill was never about fiscal responsibility. It was always about Republicans bankrolling their billionaire friends with $5 trillion in tax cuts, while abandoning our moral responsibility to improve the lives of people in our communities. The top 20% get two-thirds of the benefit. The middle class is left behind. The poor are pushed further down.

Slashing safety nets to fund tax breaks isn’t reform, it’s robbery. And you can’t call it conservative if it harms and costs more.

The impact of this bill on Americans cannot be overstated. Despite today’s outcome, House Democrats will continue to fight for the people, not the powerful.”

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) voted to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that delivers President Trump and the American people’s full agenda. It will now go to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. 

Stauber made the following statement after the vote: 

“In November, the American people elected President Trump and gave him the majorities in both the House and Senate with a clear mandate: to restore safety and unleash prosperity across our nation. Today, the House took a significant step in enacting the American people’s agenda, and I am proud to have helped deliver this historic legislation to the President’s desk. President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill will put America’s families and workers first by delivering the largest tax cuts in our nation’s history, unleashing American energy dominance, permanently securing our borders, modernizing air traffic control, and strengthening our military. I look forward to seeing the One Big, Beautiful Bill deliver a new Golden Age for the American people.”

Specifically, this legislation will do the following: 

• Makes the successful 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, delivering the largest tax cut for middle- and working-class Americans in history.
• Doubles and makes permanent the Child Tax Credit, supporting over 40 million families.  
• Implements no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and cuts taxes for Social Security recipients.  
• Doubles small business expensing, helping local businesses hire more workers and expand their operations.
• Incentivizes Made-in-America manufacturing by rewarding companies that build new factories in the U.S. and lowering taxes for businesses producing domestically.
• Supports family farms by raising the death tax exemption, protecting two million family farms from punitive double taxation.
• Improves national security by delivering funding to complete the border wall, hire new frontline personnel (10,000 new ICE personnel, 5,000 new Customs officers, and 3,000 new Border Patrol agents), and carry out at least one million annual removals.
• Unleashes American energy, driving down the cost of living and restoring energy independence.
• Provides $12.5 billion to overhaul air traffic control.
• Funds the Golden Dome missile defense system to protect the homeland and modernizes our military.
• Protects taxpayer dollars by removing waste, fraud, and abuse from federal programs, so they can better serve the American people. Specifically, it will remove 1.4 million illegal aliens from Medicaid and SNAP benefits and establish work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

MINNEAPOLIS– Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) authored an op-ed in the Minnesota Star Tribune on how the passage of the Republican “One Big, Beautiful Bill” will be devastating for her constituents in Minnesota’s Fifth District and across the nation. Her op-ed focuses on the historical funding cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and higher education programs. She also discussed how the bill facilitates the largest upward wealth transfer in American history, all while giving ICE a higher budget than almost all of the world’s militaries.

You can view the op-ed here and below. 

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar: Republican ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ is best characterized by how it harms

My House colleagues Tom Emmer, Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber should be ashamed.

By Ilhan Omar

President Donald Trump just signed the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” one of the most cruel, immoral pieces of legislation ever passed. Every single Republican member of the Minnesota congressional delegation voted to greenlight this catastrophic bill. Tom Emmer, Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber should be ashamed. They voted to take away health care for 173,268 Minnesotans in the biggest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in history. It will be remembered as one of the most harmful pieces of legislation ever signed into law.

Because my Republican colleagues cowered to special interests and their billionaire donors, 17 million Americans, including thousands of Minnesotans, will lose their health coverage. This passage could cause 50,000 Americans to die each year because Republicans shamefully voted to kick millions off Medicaid and failed to extend the premium tax credits in the Affordable Care Act. Even Republicans have acknowledged the harm this will cause, one Senate Republican even wrote a New York Times commentary titled “Don’t Cut Medicaid” before caving to Trump at the expense of his constituents. It will also increase health care costs and endanger access to care for all Americans. Rural hospitals will be forced to shut down. Nursing homes and community health clinics will be severely affected. The damage will have far-reaching, incomprehensible consequences.

This bill contains $186 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cuts mean vulnerable families will go hungry. At a time when food insecurity is rising across the country, Republicans chose to gut lifesaving nutrition assistance. In my district, nearly 90,000 people rely on SNAP to put food on the table. These are single parents, seniors and essential workers who depend on this assistance to afford groceries. Recently, I hosted a roundtable discussion with Minnesota’s U.S. Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar on the impact of these catastrophic cuts to SNAP. I heard from many of my constituents that they will now have to make the painstaking decision between paying their rent or affording groceries. Others shared they don’t know how they will be able to feed their kids without the lifeline of SNAP. Cutting nutrition assistance for the most at-risk communities is one of the most egregious and unconscionable actions the Republicans included in their betrayal budget.

This bill is the biggest upward wealth transfer in American history. While working people will be devastated, billionaires will walk away with massive benefits. Low- and middle-income families may see tiny tax cuts and temporary scraps, such as no tax on tips, but they will be quickly wiped out by rising costs from tariffs, benefit cuts, and higher interest rates. Meanwhile, millionaires and billionaires will rake in massive, permanent windfalls. The bill makes the appalling estate tax giveaway permanent, which only applies to a few thousand ultra-wealthy heirs, and expands it to $15 million and $30 million for couples. It also locks in the costly, inefficient passthrough deduction, a loophole that overwhelmingly benefits millionaire business owners while doing little for small businesses. These wasteful provisions have been criticized by experts across the ideological spectrum for being too expensive, poorly targeted and ineffective at promoting economic growth. All together, the bill’s tax changes are projected to cost at least over $3 trillion and will ultimately deepen the already wide wealth and income inequality gap.

The budget is the largest job-killing legislation ever passed. It threatens nearly 2 million construction jobs, including 800,000 green jobs. It could also erase $148 billion in annual wages and benefits to working people. The Republican Party loves to claim that it is the party of the working class, but its budget clearly debunks that lie.

It will now make it harder for working-class young people to go to college. I represent one of the youngest constituencies in the country, including many who attend the University of Minnesota. The rising cost of college is already a top concern for our district. Not only does this bill cut $300 billion in federal higher-education programs, it raises the cost of student loan repayment and cuts protections for student borrowers. This bill is a direct attack on those seeking a higher education. Every single person deserves access to higher education without any barriers. Now that dream for young people to not be shackled by student loan debt is farther out of reach.

What are all these cuts paying for? This bill gives $150 billion for immigration enforcement and another $150 billion to the Pentagon to fund a police state. It contains a slush fund for even more Immigration and Customs Enforcement abductions and mass detention. Shamefully, it includes $45 billion just for ICE jails, including family detention. This is more than 13 times ICE’s current annual detention budget. ICE facilities have little to no oversight and have already resulted in nine deaths in less than four months. Their leadership has begun banning members of Congress from conducting oversight in the facilities. And they’re building concentration camps in the Everglades. This budget gives ICE a higher budget than almost all of the world’s militaries. It runs counter to the very ideals of our country.

In poll after poll, the American people are clear in their opposition to this bill. Donald Trump and Republicans know this, which is why they rammed this bill through in the middle of the night. Every single American will remember who chose to side with billionaires instead of working people.

We will never forget that Republicans sold out the American people for their billionaire donors.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

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. 

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON—Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after voting “no” on the final version of the GOP budget bill.

“This bill is one of the most cruel, immoral pieces of legislation that Congress has ever voted on. Not only did this bill get worse from the last time the House voted on it, it will be remembered as one of the most catastrophic bills passed in modern history.

“Because my Republican colleagues cowered to special interests and their billionaire donors, 17 million Americans will lose their health coverage. This passage could cause 50,000 Americans to die each year because Republicans shamefully voted to kick millions off Medicaid and failed to extend the premium tax credits in the Affordable Care Act. It will also increase healthcare costs and endanger access to care for all Americans. Rural hospitals will be forced to shut down. Nursing homes and community health centers will be gravely impacted.

“This bill is the biggest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in history. While working people will be devastated, billionaires will receive massive tax cuts. Not only are the tax cuts permanent for the ultra-wealthy, any benefit to low-income families is only temporary. It will deepen the wealth and income inequality gap.

“In poll after poll, the American people are clear in their disdain for this bill. From cuts to nutrition assistance to increasing the cost of college to higher utility bills – the American people are clear-eyed in opposing it. Donald Trump and Republicans know this, which is why they rammed this bill through. Every single American will remember who chose to side with billionaires instead of working people.

“This bill is morally bankrupt and an attack on working people. For those reasons, I voted NO.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON — Today, Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) unveiled the Syria Sanctions Relief Act, bipartisan legislation that would repeal existing sanctions programs for Syria.

The bill would also strike related statutory references, effectively ending the Congressionally-mandated sweeping sector-wide sanctions that humanitarian organizations, United Nations experts, and economists say have worsened Syria’s economic collapse and left millions unable to rebuild their lives. Since their enactment, these sanctions have blocked access to food, fuel, and medical supplies, with devastating consequences for the Syrian people. 

“Syria’s remarkable transition, and the end of the decades-long Assad dictatorship, presents new opportunities for engagement for the betterment of the Syrian people. This is the right time to lift sanctions,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar. “This is also a good time to reflect on a broader truth: sanctions should never be used as a blunt instrument to starve a population or collapse an entire economy. They do little to improve human rights or democratic outcomes and instead devastate civilian populations and fuel instability. If we are serious about supporting peace and regional stability, we must end the failed policy of economic warfare. This bill is about giving the post-Assad Syria a fighting chance.

“The new Syrian government has demonstrated a commitment to religious freedom, peace with our allies, and a strong alliance with the United States,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. “By codifying the lifting of sanctions, we aim to empower Syria’s leadership to rebuild a stable, inclusive society that benefits its people and strengthens U.S. interests. I look forward to meeting the new president of Syria and his wife, and to fostering a continued, robust relationship with the Syrian government to advance mutual prosperity and security.”

The Syria Sanctions Relief Act would encourage diplomatic and economic engagement and offer Syrians a path toward rebuilding shattered communities. Recent executive actions, including the sanctions relief and Treasury waivers, only provide temporary relief and are subject to future revocation. Only Congress can enact permanent repeal, which is what this bill seeks to do. 

Full bill text can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), André Carson (IN-07), and Lateefah Simon (CA-12) released the following joint statement:

“The vile, anti-Muslim, and racist smears from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle attacking Zohran Mamdani cannot be met with silence. 

“These hateful, Islamophobic, and racist tropes have become so entrenched and normalized in our politics. We know these attacks all too well. At a time of increased violence against elected officials, we cannot allow the attacks on Zohran Mamdani to continue. They directly contribute to the ongoing dehumanization and violence against Muslim Americans. We unequivocally reject the normalization of anti-Muslim hate and fearmongering and call on elected leaders across our country to speak out.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig voted against the Republicans’ catastrophic budget bill that will add trillions to the national debt, take food and health care from hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans and betray the middle class – in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.

As ranking member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Craig testified before the House Rules Committee for five hours on Tuesday about the negative impacts of the bill on Minnesotans.

Following her “no” vote on the House floor, Rep. Craig released the following statement:

“Today, Republicans showed us once again that they are the party of billionaires and wealthy corporations – not everyday Americans. Instead of working to lower costs and reduce the national debt, which they promised to do, my Republican colleagues passed a budget bill that balloons the deficit and takes food and health care from hundreds of thousands of hard-working Minnesotans – all to line the pockets of the ultra-rich. 

“Taking basic needs away from Minnesota’s kids, seniors, veterans, single mothers and people with disabilities is not an option. So, while the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress chip away at Minnesotans’ access to critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP, I will keep working with state and local officials to ensure that every Minnesotan is able to get the care they need and put food on the table.”

The Republicans’ budget cuts nearly $200 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), threatening to impact critical food assistance from 42 million Americans, and cuts $930 billion from Medicaid, which could result in over 173,000 Minnesotans losing access to health care. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Republicans’ budget bill will increase the deficit by $3.5 trillion over 10 years – or $4 trillion including interest. Shifting the burden of SNAP costs onto states put Minnesota’s counties in the position to raise property taxes to make up for the millions of dollars of an unfunded mandate from the federal government. 

The bill passed the House with 218 Republican votes and not a single Democratic vote.

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