The AFL-CIO has criticized Senate Republicans for passing a budget reconciliation bill, claiming it significantly impacts working families while benefiting billionaires. According to the labor organization, the bill will raise costs for workers, eliminate millions of jobs, and strip healthcare from 17 million Americans.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler expressed her disapproval in a statement: “Senate Republicans claimed to stand with working people, then picked our pockets to deliver a nearly $5 trillion gift to billionaires. Every senator who voted for this budget bill chose to make working families poorer, sicker and less safe.”
Shuler highlighted that senators had an opportunity to amend the House version of the budget but instead intensified its negative impact. Despite efforts by labor advocates to remove a provision concerning artificial intelligence regulation, Shuler emphasized that the overall harm of the bill remains significant.
She added, “The value of any policy like a temporary tax break on tips or overtime will be more than wiped out by higher health care and energy costs—or worse, the loss of jobs altogether. There are 17 million Americans who will lose their health care, hospitals and nursing homes will close, millions will lose their jobs, and everyone will be forced to pay higher daily costs—all while driving resources to a nasty mass deportation effort that will disrupt the country’s workforce across industries and lead to more layoffs for everyone.”
The AFL-CIO urged the House of Representatives to prevent the bill from becoming law. “We urge members of Congress to reject this gift to billionaires and stand up for working people before it’s too late,” Shuler stated.
The organization outlined several ways in which they believe the Senate bill harms working people:
– It would remove healthcare access for 17 million individuals and result in 600,000 job losses in care sectors.
– Healthcare costs could increase by $500 per person annually for those with employment-based insurance.
– The energy sector might face significant job losses and increased costs.
– Food assistance cuts could affect nearly 3 million Americans and result in job losses across food-related industries.
– Construction jobs are also at risk with potential losses affecting wages significantly.
– The bill includes $155 billion in funding aimed at enhancing immigration enforcement measures.
