AFT criticizes Senate approval of Trump's tax plan

AFT President Randi Weingarten has expressed strong disapproval following the Senate's passage of a tax bill backed by President Trump. Weingarten criticized the legislation, describing it as a "big, ugly, obscene betrayal of American working families." She claimed the bill was pushed through the Senate to benefit wealthy individuals at the expense of ordinary citizens.

Weingarten argued that these tax cuts would have detrimental effects on various sectors, including healthcare and education. "These are tax cuts paid for by ravaging the future: kicking millions off healthcare, closing rural hospitals, taking food from children," she stated. According to her, public schools would suffer as funds are redirected through vouchers to private institutions.

She also contended that supporters of the bill misrepresented its impact on public services and fiscal responsibility. "You would’ve heard bad faith attempts to rewrite basic laws of accounting so they could assert that the bill won’t grow the deficit," she remarked.

Weingarten emphasized that public opinion is largely against this legislation. She vowed continued opposition as it moves back to the House and potentially to President Trump's desk. She called for an alternative approach focused on working-class tax relief and robust funding for education.

Reflecting on broader implications, Weingarten lamented how this development affects aspirations tied to American values. "Sadly, as we prepare to celebrate our independence, the promise of the American dream...is now further out of reach," she concluded.

Randi Weingarten serves as President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), with Fedrick C. Ingram as Secretary-Treasurer and Evelyn DeJesus as Executive Vice President.