Senator Fetterman’s Stand Against Proposed Cuts and Push for Education Funding

Person speaking at podium with American flag backdrop

Senator Fetterman has firmly rejected Republican budget plans that would slash critical Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP benefits to fund tax cuts for billionaires, putting millions of vulnerable Pennsylvanians at risk.

Key Takeaways

The GOP’s 2025 Budget Resolution proposes $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid, $230 billion from SNAP, and extends tax cuts for the wealthy costing over $4 trillion
Fetterman voted “NO” on the Republican budget that would jeopardize healthcare for 3.1 million Pennsylvanians on Medicaid and food assistance for 2 million residents including 700,000 children
The Senator co-introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act to address the significant shortfall in support for students with disabilities
Governor Shapiro is working to support Pennsylvania farmers and businesses facing economic challenges from new federal tariffs

Fetterman Takes Stand Against GOP’s “Billionaire Bailout” Budget

In a direct challenge to Republican fiscal priorities, Senator John Fetterman has taken a firm stand against the GOP’s 2025 Budget Resolution that passed along strict party lines. The controversial budget blueprint outlines devastating cuts to essential safety net programs relied upon by millions of working-class Americans while simultaneously extending massive tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. These proposed cuts represent a clear continuation of failed trickle-down economic policies that have consistently benefited corporate interests and billionaires at the expense of ordinary citizens.

The House Republican bill proposes a staggering $4.5 trillion in tax cuts over nine years, primarily benefiting corporations and the wealthy, while slashing approximately $1.5 trillion from programs that working families depend on. Most alarming is the proposed $880 billion cut to Medicaid, which would strip healthcare access from millions of Americans, including children, elderly, and disabled citizens. Additionally, the plan targets SNAP food assistance with $230 billion in cuts and slashes education funding by $330 billion.

Protecting Pennsylvania’s Most Vulnerable Citizens

Fetterman has been unequivocal in his rejection of budget proposals that would harm his constituents. “I voted a hard ‘NO’ on the Republicans’ so-called ‘big, beautiful’ budget bill,” stated the Senator. “I will never support any bill that strips Medicaid, Medicare or SNAP benefits from Americans to bankroll tax cuts for billionaires.” The stakes for Pennsylvania are particularly high, with over 3.1 million residents relying on Medicaid and CHIP programs for healthcare, and more than 2 million Pennsylvanians—including 60,000 veterans and 700,000 children—depending on SNAP benefits for food security.

“I will never support any bill that strips Medicaid, Medicare or SNAP benefits from Americans to bankroll tax cuts for billionaires.” – Sen. John Fetterman

The Senate’s budget resolution makes clear the Republican priorities: direct huge financial benefits to the wealthy while abandoning struggling families. The Senate Finance Committee has been explicitly instructed to extend the 2017 individual tax cuts, a massive giveaway that will cost taxpayers more than $4 trillion. Meanwhile, the GOP seems perfectly comfortable with forcing seniors, children, and disabled Americans to bear the burden of these fiscal choices through reduced services and benefits.

Fighting for Full IDEA Funding and Economic Support

Beyond opposing harmful budget cuts, Fetterman is taking proactive steps to support Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable populations. He recently co-introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act, which would ensure complete funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This legislation addresses a critical shortfall that has left parents and teachers struggling to provide adequate resources for students with disabilities. The federal government has consistently underfunded IDEA, forcing local school districts and states to make up the difference or leave students without necessary supports.

“We promised families we’d have their backs, and for decades, we’ve fallen short on that promise. Because IDEA hasn’t been fully funded, parents and teachers have been working overtime to make up for the missing resources their students desperately need. Making IDEA whole is how we guarantee students with disabilities get the support they need to thrive in school.” – Sen. John Fetterman

Meanwhile, Governor Josh Shapiro is addressing economic challenges facing Pennsylvania’s farmers and businesses due to new federal tariffs. His administration is working on strategies to reduce costs and support economic growth through tax cuts and workforce development initiatives. In parallel, Senator Lisa Baker has championed legislation to impose stricter penalties on those making false emergency threats against schools, which recently passed the Pennsylvania Senate and heads to the House for consideration.

The Path Forward: Fighting for Pennsylvania Families

As budget negotiations continue in Washington, Fetterman has committed to working across party lines during the appropriations process to protect essential services for Pennsylvanians. He emphasizes that the state deserves better than policies that prioritize special interests over the needs of ordinary citizens. With accelerated timelines for budget committee markups and votes, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether vulnerable Americans will face devastating cuts to programs they rely on or whether more balanced approaches to fiscal responsibility will prevail.