TCI Statement on Signing of Reconciliation Bill That Threatens to Take Away Food and Health Care from Hundreds of Thousands of Virginians

Freddy Mejia, Policy Director of The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, today issued the following statement condemning the signing of the Congressional reconciliation bill that threatens to take away food and health care from hundreds of thousands of people in Virginia:

“The final bill passed by Congress will dramatically harm Virginia families, businesses, and the well-being of entire communities. The law represents the largest cuts in American history for both Medicaid and SNAP. Hundreds of thousands of people in Virginia are at risk of losing access to food and health care, all to fund a tax scheme that primarily benefits the ultra-wealthy.

“The draconian cuts to Medicaid and additional red tape mean that people across Virginia will be kicked off coverage or pay more for the care they do receive. Entire communities could lose access to services as Virginia hospitals may close, jobs will be lost, and Virginia’s economy will be harmed. And the massive cuts to the SNAP program will take away access to food for many in Virginia and put new strain on Virginia’s state budget, putting funding for other community priorities, like public education, at risk. We thank the members of Congress from Virginia who stood firm with their communities and voted against this disastrous bill.

“Choices made by President Trump and Congressional leadership will harm the health and well-being of our communities. There is no way state legislators or advocates can fully fix what Congress has broken with this damaging bill, but there is still important work ahead. While families in some states are left with few options, we look forward to working with Virginia policymakers to meet the basic needs of children and families in our communities and build a better future. For example, by modernizing our tax code and making sure everyone in Virginia contributes their fair share, lawmakers can raise the resources to prioritize key investments that help communities thrive. Bold policy choices, such as creating a Commonwealth Kids Credit, raising the minimum wage, and expanding access to affordable health coverage, will help families across Virginia access the resources they need and mitigate the damage from federal funding cuts.

“This is a massive setback, but it also highlights the importance of our work together to build a stronger Virginia that invests in what our communities need to thrive. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with community leaders, legislators, and other advocates to make Virginia a place where everyone can thrive — no exceptions.”