Washington, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate passed the 2025 Budget Resolution along party lines after Senate Republicans blocked 19 amendments to protect Americans’ Medicaid, Medicare and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits; address the economic fallout of President Trump’s tariff orders; and rein in DOGE’s takedown of the federal workforce. U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) cast a firm “NO” vote on the budget and released the following statement in response:
“I voted a hard NO on the Republicans’ so-called ‘big, beautiful’ budget bill.
“I will never support any bill that strips Medicaid, Medicare, or SNAP benefits from Americans to bankroll tax cuts for billionaires.
“Pennsylvania deserves better than this and I’ll keep fighting for a government that serves the people, not special interests.”
The FY25 Budget Resolution establishes an overall limit on government spending. Congress will now proceed to the appropriations process, where lawmakers determine exactly how much money each federal agency and program receives. In effect, this budget serves as Congress’s blueprint for which federal programs are prioritized in determining where federal dollars go. Senator Fetterman voted against it, and here’s why.
Attacks on Medicaid and Medicare
- More than 3.1 million Pennsylvanians rely on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
- 39% of Pennsylvania children and 45,000 births per year rely on CHIP and Medicaid.
- Medicaid covers more than 722,000 people with a disability in Pennsylvania.
Threats to Social Security
- Ongoing reorganization at the agency under DOGE puts 325,148 Pennsylvanians’ checks at risk, totaling $232.8 million in monthly payments.
Rising Costs from Tariffs
- President Trump’s tariff orders could cost the average family $4,000 per year.
- In Pennsylvania alone:
- Up to $5.84 billion hit to the state economy.
- 347,100 jobs affected.
- An estimated $64,000 cost per family.
Cuts to SNAP Food Assistance
- Over 2 million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP to put food on the table.
- 11% of Pennsylvania households face food insecurity, with more than 60,000 veterans and 700,000 children who rely on SNAP for meal assistance.
- SNAP brought $4.27 billion to Pennsylvania in FY 2024.
Senator Fetterman remains committed to protecting Pennsylvanians’ access to affordable health care, stable incomes in retirement, and relief from escalating costs. He will continue working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect these critical programs and services as the appropriations process moves forward.
