Dozens of constituents gathered today outside Congressman Zach Nunn’s Des Moines office to condemn his recent vote in favor of legislation that threatens healthcare and nutrition assistance for tens of thousands of Iowans. The bill, passed this week in the House, would gut funding for Medicaid and SNAP—programs that over 107,000 Iowans rely on—while handing tax breaks to wealthy corporations and the ultra-rich. Watch the event here.
AFSCME Local 61 Political Director Melissa Speed, who opened the program, reminded Iowans that these cuts are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. “This is about our jobs, our families, and our communities,” Speed said . “Every cut to Medicaid or SNAP means more strain on public workers and fewer resources for the people we’re called to serve. It’s time we turn up the volume and remind every elected official, the House Representatives who pushed these cuts forward, and the Senators who can stop them: Iowan’s are engaged and energized. We’re paying attention and know we deserve leaders who put working families over tax breaks for billionaires.”
Scott Thomson, AFSCME Council 61 secretary-treasurer and Local 3450 president said “Our members are already dealing with short staffing, underfunded services, and rising costs at home. Now Congress wants to rip away the very programs that help families survive, that keep them healthy and working, all to pay for handouts to billionaires? We’re not having it. We stand united to protect Medicaid, SNAP, and the services our communities count on.”
“This bill will create a domino effect, impacting student health, academic success, and overall well-being, while straining local school districts and resulting in dire economic consequences for communities across the state,” Anne Cross, president of the Des Moines Area Education Associate, said. “Every student deserves a fully funded public school that provides them with a sense of community, regardless of their background or zip code. This is not just a wish; it’s a fundamental right. These federal cuts threaten this right and vital programs that provide critical support and create opportunities for students.”
Advocating for the 650,000 Iowans whose financial and physical wellbeing are at risk, Carolina Ramos, senior advocacy strategist for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa said, “the stakes of this debate are not just measured in dollars, they are felt in the lives of our families, friends and neighbors. Voting to cut funding for Planned Parenthood and Medicaid is chaotic, cruel and dangerous and will directly affect low-income communities needing affordable health care. Our Congressional delegation must defend our ability to access health care and stave off attacks to gut it and funding for Planned Parenthood.”
“Congressman Nunn and the rest of Iowa’s House Representatives voted for devastating, record-breaking cuts to Medicaid,” Anne Discher, executive director of Common Good Iowa said. “If the Senate passes the House Budget, thousands of Iowans will be thrown off their health insurance, and thousands more will see increased health care costs. Elected representatives need to grow our economy by raising incomes and lowering costs. Cutting Medicaid does the exact opposite. Iowans need Senators Ernst and Grassley to reject the House bill, stop these cuts, and prioritize families who rely on Medicaid and SNAP over more tax breaks for billionaires.”
“Rep. Nunn’s unconscionable vote to gut SNAP is a direct attack on the basic health and wellbeing of his own constituents – all for the sake of gifting huge tax cuts to the billionaire class,” Food & Water Watch Iowa Organizer Michaelyn Mankel said. “Sweeping cuts to SNAP threaten basic food assistance for thousands of Iowa residents. Rep. Nunn needs to remember he works for the people — not corporations and the wealthy elite.”
Access the live recording here.
