Congresswoman Ramirez Statement on Cuts to Illinois Federal Funding for Health, Housing, Food Assistance

Chicago, IL — Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, released the following statement condemning the Trump Administration’s decisions to cut $125 million from the Illinois Department of Public Health and local health departments. The cuts also jeopardize $52.5 million in HUD-funding for housing developments, and put 1.9 million Illinoisans at risk of losing their food assistance. 

“For anyone trying to make ‘Make America Healthy Again,’ let’s be clear: this ain’t it. The Musk-Trump Administration’s decision to fund tax breaks for billionaires by cutting the essential federal programs working people rely on will have devastating consequences. We know that housing is health care and nutritious food is medicine. The Trump-Musk administration does not care that families will be left on the street, forced to go hungry, and deprived of necessary care. 

The taxpayers of Illinois pay roughly $156 billion in federal taxes each year, making our state one of only nine in the nation that pay MORE in federal taxes than we receive in direct benefits. These cuts, when coupled with the Administration’s intent to cut billions from Medicare and Medicaid, have deadly consequences for our communities. At a time when working families are already struggling with high costs, we should be expanding healthcare, not cutting it. We need Medicare for All!”