At House Floor Consideration, Rep. Stephen F. Lynch Delivers Remarks on GOP’s Tax Scam
Washington, D.C. (May 22, 2025)— Below is Rep. Stephen F. Lynch’s statement, as prepared for delivery, at the House Floor consideration of the GOP’s tax scam bill. This reckless and cruel reconciliation bill kicks nearly 14 million people off their health care, makes the largest cut to food assistance ever, and bolsters the Trump-Musk Administration’s attacks on the federal workforce – all in service of more tax giveaways for millionaires and billionaires. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch Click here to watch the video. I rise this morning on behalf of our friend and colleague, Gerry Connolly – the gentleman from Virginia – and with the hope of infusing this debate with his passion and his wisdom on behalf of the federal workers for whom there was no greater champion. Gerry was especially grateful for the federal workers at the VA and the Walter Reed Medical Center. Especially the nurses and therapists and physicians and support staff that care for our veterans and active military. In all honesty, Gerry was furious at the way federal workers and veterans are being treated under this bill. He was angry that Donald Trump purged 325,000 federal workers – including at least 3,000 workers at the VA – and that the cuts in this reconciliation bill require the firing of 80,000 more workers at the VA. At least 27,000 of those fired federal employees are veterans themselves. While the termination of these workers at the VA is outrageous and disrespectful, it is only half the story because it is the mission of those workers at the VA to care for our veterans that will be ended as well. We should each of us remember that veterans' benefits are different. They are special obligations taken on by our country, our society, and our Congress. Veterans' benefits are an obligation owed to our veterans for courageous service previously rendered. And the promise to every son and daughter who puts on that uniform is that, if you come from home from your service with the scars of war – visible or invisible – we will care for you and your family. That promise has been maintained throughout this Nation's history by Democrat and Republican administrations. Until now. Until tonight. Until this bill is signed into law by Donald Trump. Mr. Speaker, this is a disgraceful way to treat both workers at the VA and the veterans who they serve. I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill. ### |