Rep. Jeff Hurd’s “yes” vote on the budget reconciliation bill was wrong for our district. He said he would support clean energy tax credits. This bill rescinds the clean energy tax credits and will hurt the economy in the 3rd CD.
He said he would not vote for Medicaid cuts. This bill cuts Medicaid by $698 billion and will cut Medicare by $500 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office estimate.
Medicaid cuts will likely result in the closing of two area hospitals. This will put the health of all La Plata County and Southwest Colorado residents at increased risk. Medicaid cuts will also reduce staffing in area long term care facilities or result in their closure.
This bill will take away $267 billion in food assistance benefits, much of which goes to children. This bill will severely limit a court’s ability to hold government officials in contempt of court for failure to follow a court order. As an attorney, Hurd understands how dangerous this is to democracy and the separation of powers. This bill restricts states’ ability to regulate artificial intelligence for the next 10 years.
For all these cuts, this bill will increase the federal deficit by $3.8 trillion over the next 10 years. This bill harms our democracy, reduces benefits and services of the lowest income people in our country to provide more benefits to the richest. Hurd’s “yes” vote will hurt the majority of his constituents. I am ashamed of his vote.
Gail Harriss
Durango
