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Yesterday, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) signed a discharge petition that would force an up-or-down vote in the House to protect Medicaid and food assistance from devastating budget cuts. 

“The Republican budget slashes Medicaid and food assistance with more than $1 trillion in cuts,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “These cuts will eliminate healthcare that millions of Americans depend on and will defund vital nutrition programs that prevent hunger. All it takes to end this devastation is for four Republicans to have the courage to stand up for their constituents and join the Democratic effort to protect Medicaid and SNAP. I encourage my colleagues to sign on to our bill and prioritize healthcare and food assistance instead of tax breaks for their billionaire friends.”

Under House rules, once a discharge petition receives 218 signatures, it triggers a vote on the House Floor. If four House Republicans join every Democrat and sign this discharge petition, the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act would be considered in the House immediately. This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act to protect Medicaid and SNAP from any reduction in coverage or benefits in the reconciliation process, the legislative maneuver Republicans are attempting to utilize their budget. 

In data provided by the House Budget Committee that includes figures for every congressional district, the consequences of the Republican budget would be extreme.

In TX-16, the 131,397 people on Medicaid (also known in Texas as STAR+PLUS) are at risk of losing their health care under Republican budget plans. This includes 97,903 children under the age of 19 and 28,000 seniors over 65.

In TX-23, 109,374 people on Medicaid are at risk of losing their health care under Republican budget plans. This includes 81,934 children under the age of 19 and 21,000 seniors over 65.

The Republican budget plans threaten the 152,000 people in TX-16 and 94,000 people in TX-23 who count on SNAP to put food on the table.