AFT criticizes GOP-backed tax bill for impacting healthcare and education

AFT President Randi Weingarten expressed strong disapproval following the Republican members of the House of Representatives' decision to support President Donald Trump's tax bill. According to Weingarten, the legislation is detrimental to Americans, stating it will result in increased poverty and hunger while reducing access to healthcare.

"This cruel, callous, crippling bill will leave Americans sicker, hungrier and poorer," Weingarten said. She criticized the bill as a "massive and unprecedented transfer of wealth from everyday people to billionaires," arguing that it contradicts claims by Trump and congressional Republicans that they aim to improve life for working families.

Weingarten highlighted several impacts of the bill, including removing healthcare for 17 million people, cutting food assistance for 22 million individuals, closing hospitals, defunding higher education, job cuts, targeting immigrant communities, and increasing national debt. She pointed out that these measures are designed to fund tax breaks for the wealthy.

The statement also addressed concerns about education funding. The bill reportedly includes a permanent school voucher scheme in the tax code that would allocate billions annually to private schools. This comes despite public schools being underfunded while educating 90 percent of students nationwide. Weingarten noted this could cost taxpayers over $50 billion yearly.

Despite potential challenges posed by federal vouchers, Weingarten emphasized the continued importance of strengthening public schools. "Our job remains to strengthen public schools," she stated. This involves investing in educational supports and curriculums that prepare students for various roles in society.

The AFT's leadership pledged accountability among its members regarding those who supported or opposed working families' interests during this legislative process.

Randi Weingarten

President

Fedrick C. Ingram

Secretary-Treasurer

Evelyn DeJesus

Executive Vice President

American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO

Photographs and illustrations cannot be used without permission from the AFT.