An Urgent Appeal to All U.S. Senators: Protect Our Future, Reject This Budget
To the Esteemed Senators of the United States,
My
name is Frank Austad. I live in Washington State with my wife, Julie. Our children
and grandchildren also live near us. Since the election of the current
administration, we have been closely watching the unfolding of national and
world events that have caused a significant amount of stress for us and our
family. The “big, beautiful bill,” which our president likes to call it, contains
components that give my wife and I, as seniors, reason to worry.
It
also threatens low-income people, such as our teenage grandchildren, who are
just starting out to find their way through an already challenging, harsh
economic landscape toward a more comfortable standard of living.
I
am writing to you today, not merely as a constituent of Washington State, but
as a deeply concerned parent and American citizen witnessing a critical moment
for our nation. The budget bill was recently passed by the House of
Representatives and is now before your chamber. It poses an existential threat
to the well-being of millions and stands in stark contrast to the values we
claim to uphold. We urge you, with every fiber of our being, to reject this
bill.
As
an insulin-dependent Type 1 diabetic, I rely heavily on Medicare for assistance
to pay for my insulin and medical supplies. The latest news about this bill
portends a possible reduction of Medicare benefits, which I find troubling, as holding
down the supply of medical necessities is a continuing struggle.
The
current version of this budget bill is not merely fiscally irresponsible; it is
morally reprehensible. It threatens to dismantle the very safety nets that
millions of American families rely upon. If passed, it would risk the loss of
essential healthcare for millions of Medicaid, Medicare, and food assistance
for SNAP program recipients.1 These are not abstract numbers; these
are our neighbors, our parents, our veterans, and ourselves – all of us are individuals
who depend on these programs for our health, sustenance, and dignity.
This
proposed legislation also directly contradicts the promises made by many of
your Republican colleagues during their election campaigns. Voters across the
country were assured that government benefits would remain untouched. To now
see a budget that actively seeks to diminish these vital programs is a profound
betrayal of trust and an insult to the democratic process. Such actions erode
public faith in our institutions and undermine the very foundation of
representative government.
Furthermore,
this bill would exacerbate the already widening chasm between the wealthy and
the vulnerable. It is designed to benefit those who need it least, at the
expense of those who need it most. Projections show that taxpayers with the
highest incomes would see their household resources increase by a significant
4% in 2027 and by 2% in 2033, largely due to extended tax cuts.2
Meanwhile, the poorest taxpayers would experience a devastating 4% drop in
their resources by 2033, primarily due to the proposed downsizing of crucial
benefit programs. This is not economic growth; it is a transfer of wealth
upwards, solidifying inequality and weakening the fabric of our society.
Senators
Murray and Cantwell, I know I can count on you to champion the needs of your
constituents and all Americans in this critical vote. However, this appeal
extends to every Senator, regardless of party affiliation. The decisions you
make on this budget will echo for generations. You have an opportunity, and
indeed a solemn duty, to stand up for the principles of fairness, compassion,
and responsibility.
Again, we implore you to consider the real-world consequences of this bill. Think of the
families who will lose access to life-saving medication, the seniors who will
struggle to afford their doctor's visits, and the children who will go hungry.
This is not merely a budgetary debate; it is a moral reckoning.
Please,
reject this current budget bill. Work together to craft a budget that
prioritizes the health and well-being of all Americans, that fosters true
economic opportunity, and that reflects the promises made to your constituents.
Our nation's future depends on it.
Sincerely,
Frank and Julie Austad
Concerned Citizens from Washington State
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