Rep. Sewell demands up-or-down vote to protect Medicaid, food assistance

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, AL-07, on Wednesday signed a discharge petition that would force an up-or-down vote in the House to protect Medicaid and food assistance from devastating budget cuts.

“The Republican budget slashes Medicaid and food assistance with more than $1 trillion in cuts to these basic needs programs. My constituents in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District simply cannot afford these cuts, which will drive up costs and kick people off their health care,” said Rep. Sewell. “Some of my Republican colleagues have come out against these cuts. If they are serious, they should join me in forcing an up-or-down vote on the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act and protect these vital programs.”

In Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, the Republican budget puts 176,181 people on Medicaid at risk of losing their coverage and threatens 197,000 people who count on food assistance to make ends meet.

“A discharge petition forces an up-or-down vote on pending legislation that Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to consider,” Sewell’s release shared. If four House Republicans sign this discharge petition, the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act will be considered in the House immediately.