Rep. Sykes Slams Republican Budget Scheme That Adds Billions to Deficit for Trump’s War and Voter Suppression Efforts While Ignoring Rising Costs for Ohio Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) voted against Republicans’ $95 billion budget resolution that sets up more funding for President Trump’s deadly and unpopular war with Iran, adds billions to the national deficit without offsets, and advances Republicans’ “top priority” of making it harder for eligible Americans to exercise their right to vote.
Over the past five months, 17 U.S. service members have been killed and hundreds more have been injured in Trump’s reckless war of choice with Iran. The president previously claimed the war, which Congress never authorized, would last only six weeks. Now, he wants American taxpayers to send $73 billion more to the Pentagon to continue a war that he refuses to end.
The resolution also includes an opportunity for Republicans to later add the SAVE America Act to this effort. The bill would create unnecessary barriers for eligible Americans trying to register to vote. It would also prevent Americans from registering if their current legal name does not match the name on their citizenship documents, a requirement that could disproportionately impact many married women who have changed their names, as well as older Americans and people with disabilities who may face challenges obtaining required documentation.
“At a time when Ohio families are struggling to pay for gas, groceries, housing, and healthcare, President Trump and Republicans are prioritizing giving more of their hard-earned money away for a war that never needed to start and suppressing their voting rights,” said Rep. Sykes. “They are completely out of touch with what our country needs most and I will never support either endeavor.”
Along with the $73 billion for military and intelligence programs, the budget resolution calls for $12 billion for farm assistance and $10 billion in grants to states to implement stricter voter-ID laws.
This resolution passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration. Republicans’ appropriations bill, known as “Reconciliation 3.0,” will allow them to push their partisan agenda and bypass the Senate filibuster for a third time.