Dads Caucus

Congressional Dads Blast Republicans Cuts to Health Care & Social Security for Billionaire Tax Breaks

Watch the full press conference HERE.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Dads Caucus Chair Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Reps. Dan Goldman (NY-10), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) held a press conference demanding that Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith and House Republicans focus on lowering costs for working families instead of handing out tax breaks to billionaires. As House Republicans secretly draft another tax giveaway for the ultra-wealthy, working parents across the country are struggling with high grocery, child care, and housing prices.

"While Republicans are meeting in secret to give billionaires another handout, families in my district and across the country are struggling to afford the basics," said Dads Caucus Chair Jimmy Gomez (CA-34). "If Republicans were serious about lowering costs, they’d work with us to expand the Child Tax Credit, create national paid family leave, and make child care more affordable—not cut health care for working families and Social Security to pay for billionaire tax breaks."

"Once again, Republicans are abandoning working families with a funding bill that cuts essential services so Trump and Musk can raid the government for personal profit," said Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10). "Democrats won’t stand by as Republicans push a budget plan that will leave hard-working Americans homeless, hungry, and without healthcare. If Republicans want our help passing a funding bill, it must include safeguards to protect the programs Americans rely on, not to continue fueling Trump’s campaign of corruption."

"As a proud member of the Dads Caucus, I understand that the health and well-being of our children and families are essential to a strong future,” said Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25). “Medicaid is a critical resource, with nearly half of all children in the United States and 40% of new mothers relying on it for care. By supporting Medicaid and policies that strengthen families, we can ensure every father has the resources to care for their loved ones."

“We speak not only as Members of Congress, but as parents, united in demanding a better budget for hardworking families nationwide,” said Rep. Tim Kennedy (NY-26). “The Republican plan prioritizes tax breaks for billionaires – and puts Medicaid and food assistance on the chopping block to pay for them. The continuing resolution robs healthcare for our veterans, rolls back funding for cancer research, and puts housing out of reach for more people. We will not rest until we pass a budget that puts working families first. That’s what our families deserve.”

The Dads Caucus has been leading the fight for policies that actually help families, including:

• Expanding the Child Tax Credit to provide direct financial relief for parents;
  Creating a national paid family leave program so parents don’t have to choose between work and caring for their children; and
  Making child care more affordable and rejecting any cuts to child care programs to help families make ends meet and boost the economy.

As Dads Caucus Chairman, Rep. Gomez is leading a growing coalition of more than 45 members—including three senators: Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Adam Schiff (D-CA)—in advocating for family-friendly policies that help working families afford their mortgages, rent, child care, and everyday essentials.

The Congressional Dads Caucus was founded after the 118th Congress Speaker vote to provide a forum for members of Congress to push legislation that supports working families. Since then, the caucus has gained momentum as a leading voice for policy solutions that help families thrive and make America more affordable—including creating a national paid leave program, increasing access to affordable child care, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and ensuring working parents have the resources they need to provide for their families.

Learn more about the Dads Caucus here and read the Dads Caucus 118th Congress report here.

###