One Month into Trump Administration, Rep. Kelly Condemns Budget Cuts, Frozen Federal Grants

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) spoke out against the chaos of the second Trump administration alongside community leaders, healthcare professionals and educators yesterday at a press conference. 

“We are only one month into the second Trump Administration. One month, and people’s lives are already being turned upside down,” Rep. Kelly said yesterday at the press conference. “Americans are facing higher costs of living. House Republicans promised to lower those costs. They lied. Their new proposed budget would cut $880 billion from Medicaid. Why are they making these cuts? Because they want to give a $4 trillion tax break for CEOs and big corporations.”

The House Republicans’ proposed Medicaid cuts would increase healthcare premiums by $1,290 a year for 17,000 people in Illinois’ Second Congressional. An additional 200,000 people on Medicaid would lose health care. The Trump administration’s targeted efforts against Social Security affects over 150,000 people in the district. 

“Republicans control the White House, the Senate, and the House,” Rep. Kelly continued. “With all this power, they decide to give more money to the wealthy. They decide to step on the American people who are already trying to make ends meet.”

At the press conference, Rep. Kelly was joined by: Mayor of Hazel Crest, Vernard Alsberry; Becky Gremley, a caregiver to her son who has autism; John Peller, President & CEO of AIDS Foundation of Chicago; Veronica Clarke, President & CEO of TCA Health; Dr. Michael Boyd, President & CEO of Kankakee Community College; and Debra Shore, former Regional Administrator for EPA Region 5.