Rep. Menendez Slams Republican Hypocrisy, Defends Medicaid in Energy and Commerce Committee Markup

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, during a House Energy and Commerce Committee markup outlining the Committee’s oversight work for the 119th Congress, Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) slammed the hypocrisy of Committee Republicans as they debated cuts to critical funding for Medicaid, public health, and environmental justice.

“Committee Republicans spent hours attempting to justify an agenda that cuts essential healthcare programs for children, seniors, and the most vulnerable in order to deliver tax cuts for giant corporations,” said Congressman Rob Menendez.“Their constituents – and all Americans – deserve to know the truth about the Republicans’ agenda: it will reduce access to healthcare for those who need it most, push nurses out of nursing homes, close critical access hospitals, and raise costs for everyday Americans.”

During the markup, Committee Democrats slammed the $880 billion cuts in House Republicans’ budget framework within the Committee’s jurisdiction. The budget was passed by the House yesterday evening. Congressman Menendez voted against it. The magnitude of cuts included in the bill will require a significant reduction in funding for Medicaid. Currently, nearly 1 in 5 New Jerseyans – mostly children, pregnant women, and seniors – rely on Medicaid for their health coverage. 

Congressman Menendez spoke on a wide range of issues during the thirteen-hour markup, offering an amendment requiring oversight of Elon Musk’s conflicts of interest within the federal government through his positions at SpaceX and Tesla. No Republicans voted for it, while every Democrat did. Menendez also spoke on the federal funding freeze, the independence of Inspectors General, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the integrity of federal agencies. In total, Democrats offered more than two dozen amendments to the oversight plan. House Republicans rejected them all.

To view the full Committee markup, click here.