Gottheimer criticizes House-passed budget bill over healthcare, nutrition, and tax provisions
NEW JERSEY — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5) voiced opposition Friday to a budget bill narrowly passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, criticizing proposed cuts to healthcare, nutrition assistance, and other public services. Speaking outside Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Gottheimer was joined by state and local advocates for reproductive rights, health care, and food security.
The budget measure passed by a single vote on Thursday. It now advances to the Senate.
Gottheimer, along with organizations and elected officials in attendance, expressed concern over potential impacts on New Jersey residents, including those enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, and school meal programs.
“There’s a reason Republicans fought among themselves for months over their extreme-right budget bill: they know it’s a disaster for our families, children, and seniors. That’s why it passed the House by one vote,” Gottheimer said. “This budget makes the largest cuts to health care and nutritional assistance in our nation’s history.”
According to Gottheimer’s office, nearly 1.7 million New Jersey residents could be affected by proposed Medicaid changes. The bill also proposes cuts to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), school meal programs, and defunding of Planned Parenthood.
“In Northern New Jersey, nearly 90,000 people, including 30,000 children and 13,000 seniors, would lose their health care through NJ Family Care,” he said. “Rather than making life affordable, the extreme right is cutting critical lifelines that Jersey families rely on.”
The legislation does not include the full restoration of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, a provision that Gottheimer has pushed to reinstate in previous sessions. He said he is sending a letter to Senate Majority Whip John Thune urging opposition to the bill’s provisions that affect New Jersey.
Gottheimer was joined by Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center CEO Deb Visconi, Joel Berg of Hunger Free America, and Kaitlyn Wojtowicz of Planned Parenthood.
The bill’s future remains uncertain as it heads to the Senate, where further negotiations are expected.
