Toolkit: stop the cuts

  • House Republicans are pushing forward a new budget proposal that would deliver massive tax cuts to the wealthy—paid for by slashing vital programs that millions of Americans rely on. Their plan includes $2 trillion in devastating cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and student loan relief, all while adding $4.5 trillion to the deficit to finance tax breaks for the ultra-rich. These proposed cuts come at a time when families are already struggling with rising costs and economic uncertainty, threatening the health, stability, and futures of communities across the country.

    This toolkit offers timely messaging guidance, key talking points, digital assets, and the latest updates to help highlight the real-world harm of this reckless budget plan.

    • Donald Trump and Speaker Johnson are only looking out for the special interests that got them elected - while the rest of us foot the bill. We have to come together and take action to stop his tax breaks for the wealthy, cuts to Medicare and Social Security, and risky proposals that will increase costs for middle class families. 

    • Donald Trump and Republicans’ tax plans will hurt the middle class and American families. Defunding our education system, cutting food stamps, and cutting healthcare for veterans, seniors in assisted living facilities, and children with disabilities. All at the expense of giving the rich and big corporations massive tax cuts. 

    • Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, are slashing programs that American families rely on. They've cut money for schools, aid to farmers, and funding for healthcare. At the same time, they're making it easier for big banks and credit card companies to rip you off. 

    • Cutting health care, food assistance, and student loans would not only harm families immediately but also lead to long-term negative impacts. Losing Medicaid means people will go without essential treatments, and cuts to SNAP will lead to increased food insecurity and health challenges for children.

    • Student loan cuts make higher education more expensive by increasing loan interest and potentially cutting funding for college grants. This would make it harder for families to afford education, adding more financial burden on students and their families.

    • Extreme Giveaway to the Wealthy: The House budget contains over $4 trillion in tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy at the expense of families already struggling with the cost of living. Half the tax benefits in this budget would go to high-income households, while low-income families would bear the brunt of the spending cuts, losing access to essential services like food and health coverage. (CBPP 2/21)

    • Massive Cuts to Vital Social Programs: The House plan mandates deep cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, student loans, and school meals. These cuts would directly harm low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

    • Higher Costs for Families: As a result of the cuts, families would face higher costs for things like healthcare, food, and paying for college.

    • Cuts to Essential Services: The House budget proposes cuts to dozens of vital government services such as school funding, medical research, clean air and water protection, and Social Security services.

    • Fiscally Irresponsible: Both the House and Senate plans will increase the deficit by trillions.  (NPR)

    • Work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP would cause disproportionate harm to the most vulnerable: low-income adults, parents, people with disabilities, and the elderly (CBPP)

    • Healthcare access (through Medicaid) and hunger prevention (through SNAP) impact basic human needs. Advocating for these programs is not only about economics but about ensuring that people can live with dignity and security.

    • Every district in the country will be affected by these cuts, either directly or through the ripple effect on local healthcare systems, food banks, and community services.

    • Instead of cutting services and giving tax cuts to the wealthy, Congress should focus on expanding access to job training, childcare, and educational opportunities as real solutions for helping people move toward stable employment.

    • Suggested script: Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP]. I am calling to demand [REP NAME] to vote NO on any budget that includes cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, or SNAP. This proposed budget endangers the health of millions of Americans as well as the fiscal health of our entire nation.

      • If leaving a voicemail: Please leave a full street address to ensure your call is tallied.

      • Tell House members to oppose cuts to medicare, medicaid, and snap to pay for tax cuts!

        • Balderson: 202-225-5355

        • Beatty: 202-225-4324

        • Brown: 202-225-7032

        • Carey: 202-225-2015

        • Davidson: 202-225-6205

        • Jordan: 202-225-2676

        • Joyce: 202-225-5731

        • Kaptur: 202-225-4146

        • Landsman: 202-225-2216

        • Latta: 202-225-6405

        • Miller: 202-225-3876

        • Rulli: 202-225-5705

        • Sykes: 202-225-6265

        • Taylor: 202-225-3164

        • Turner: 202-225-6465

    GENERATE CALLS: Call Your Members of Congress using the SEIU Toll Free Line

    • Use the Congressional hotline: 866-426-2631 (line is available in English and Spanish).

    • You can also use this line to organize a volunteer phone bank.

    • Here's a script: [DOWNLOAD SCRIPT]

    PUBLISH OP EDS & LTES

    ORGANIZE EVENTS:  Of course, the most immediate and visible way to let your GOP Members of Congress know that constituents understand what they are doing in DC is to organize events that mobilize people to call on these Members to oppose cuts to healthcare. Small, district events are fine. Remember that Republicans are voting late at night for a reason: they don't want their constituents to know. It's our job to expose the truth. 

  • Stop the Cuts Content

    • 770,793 Ohioans are enrolled in Medicaid under the expansion program (Group VIII). 

    • If Congress reduces the federal funding rate from 90% to a lower rate (closer to the typical 62.5%), Ohio would face billions of dollars in additional costs. 

    • The pending state operating budget (HB 96) includes a provision that would immediately end Medicaid coverage for these individuals if the federal share drops below 90%. 

    • This means that if the federal funding decreases, hundreds of thousands of low-income Ohioans could lose their health coverage very quickly.

    • 12.4% of Ohio households depend on SNAP for food, that’s 1.4 million recipients, including children, living in over 611,000 households at risk of losing some or all benefits.

    • Ohio residents receive $3.178 billion in total SNAP benefits annually.

    • If this proposal advances, Ohio recipients will lose a total of $7.788 billion in benefits over 10 years.

    • 10,100 Ohio retailers are at risk of losing revenue.