Emmy Ruiz: “At a time when families desperately need more breathing room, Trump and the Republicans have cut health care and food assistance, while pursuing policies that are driving up costs.”
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Defend America Action hosted a press call with Texas State Representatives Mary E. González and Josey Garcia, along with former Senior Advisor to President Biden Emmy Ruiz, to discuss Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans’ affordability crisis and its consequences for Texans.
The speakers highlighted how that affordability crisis is devastating Texas families. 58% of Texans disapprove of Trump’s handling of inflation and prices, and more than 1.7 million Texans stand to lose their health care by 2034. Already, over 651,000 Texans have lost food assistance because of Trump and the GOP’s Big, Ugly Bill, and gas prices have surged 50% since the start of the year amid Trump’s war with Iran.
“Food costs are rising nationwide because of Donald Trump’s tariffs, and it’s impacting farmers and ranchers across the country,” said Texas State Representative Mary E. González. “Not only are our families dealing with these rising costs, but then you have the reality that the federal government cut so many programs that were helping families get access to healthy food.”
“Around one in every seven recipients of SNAP benefits in Texas is either active duty or a military veteran, so food insecurity is a major issue for us,” said Texas State Representative Josey Garcia. “A lot of retirees live in my community. A lot of them are having to forgo their medication, even with coverage and with assistance through their health plans. They still can’t afford life-saving medications.”
“People are working hard, but everything is getting harder to afford. This isn’t an abstract conversation about the economy. It’s about groceries. It’s about the electric bill. It’s about filling up your car’s tank of gas,” said former Senior Advisor to President Biden Emmy Ruiz. “At a time when families desperately need more breathing room, Trump and the Republicans have cut health care and food assistance, while pursuing policies that are driving up costs.”
A recording of the press call is available here.
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