WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 25 Virginians traveled to Capitol Hill on Thursday to ask their representatives in Congress not to cut Medicaid and SNAP in order to fund tax giveaways for the ultra-wealthy.
People from nine localities, including Moseley, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Fairfax, Portsmouth, and Richmond, visited the offices of 10 members of the commonwealth’s congressional delegation. Virginians shared their personal stories of how Medicaid and SNAP have ensured that they have access to food and health care.
The Lobby Day was coordinated by The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis in partnership with Fair Share America, New Virginia Majority, and Affordable Virginia.
“I was thankful to join this lobby day to speak with staff from my representative, Congressman Rob Wittman, and highlight the stories of Medicaid recipients that Peter Paul RVA serves. Our community continues to face worry and uncertainty over the future of Medicaid, which is a lifeline for them and their families. With the support of other representatives, we will continue to seek ways for our community members to maintain access to these much-needed resources,” shared Chief Executive Officer of Peter Paul RVA, Corey Taylor of Moseley.
“I joined the lobby day to speak up for those who rely on essential services such as SNAP and voice the importance of their impact on my life and the lives of those in my community. SNAP has been a lifeline for me at a very vulnerable time in my life as a single mom with a young child, and has been an invaluable resource for many others in my life,” said Holly Hargather of Portsmouth.
Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan personally met with the group of Virginians, who thanked her for voting against a budget framework that has kickstarted the process to determine the details of how these deep cuts will be instituted. For example, some in Congress are considering cuts to Medicaid expansion funding, which would automatically disenroll more than 600,000 Virginians due to a trigger provision in state law. Another proposal would shift a portion of SNAP costs to the states, but even a 10% reduction in federal funds would blow a $352 million hole in Virginia’s two-year state budget. They also met with staff from the offices of United States Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, as well as Representatives Bobby Scott, Don Beyer, Eugene Vindman, Jen Kiggans, and Rob Wittman.
The budget framework narrowly passed by a vote of 216-214. As part of the day’s agenda, advocates and impacted Virginians joined hundreds of people at a rally to protest the plan to cut Medicaid and SNAP in order to pay for tax giveaways for the ultra-rich.
