Dear Friend,
America’s 250th and the 4th of July is just around the corner. While we have plans for July 4th, we weren’t expecting: The newly painted Reflecting Pool turning murky green (after costing more than $16 million to “fix”), a UFC fight night on the White House grounds, and a legal battle brewing over building President Trump’s oversized arch. [1] [2] [3]
And what are moms still waiting for? Lower costs, accessible health care, and relief from the harms caused by Trump’s Big, Ugly Bill.
In the coming weeks, Americans across the country will gather for BBQs and fireworks and parades. They’ll celebrate something real: the promise of freedom, democracy, and opportunity; the idea that this country is worth fighting for; the belief that life here can be good and get better; and, perhaps most importantly, celebrating that a core goal of our nation is to always strive to be a “more perfect union.”
Tell Congress: REJECT the Anti-Voter “Save” America Act
Here’s what we think is patriotic: Celebrating freedom AND actually making life better and easier for everyday families—and moms know what that takes. We believe that health care is a human right. That no mom should have to choose between medicine for her child and rent. That a family should be able to see a doctor without going into debt. That gas should be affordable, groceries shouldn’t break the bank, and child care shouldn’t cost as much as a second mortgage. [4]
Instead, Trump and Republicans in Congress are spending time and money on reckless wars, terrifying and separating immigrant families, golden ballrooms, and oversized arches, while doing nothing to lower the cost of living for the families footing the bill.
The situation isn’t good. Last July 4th, Republicans in Congress passed Trump’s Big, Ugly Bill, triggering the largest cuts to health care and food assistance in American history and driving up costs for families across the country. [5] Over $1 trillion was slashed from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—and nearly $200 billion from SNAP over the next 10 years—to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. [6] [7]
One year later, nearly 5 million people have already lost their health coverage from the Medicaid cuts, compounded by the expiration of the ACA premium tax credits. [8] Over 1,000 hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes have been forced to close, cut services, or are at serious risk across 48 states. [9] Nearly 40 maternity wards have shuttered their doors, leaving pregnant women to drive hours just to give birth. [10] And more than 4 million people have lost food assistance—while 2 in 3 adults are now worried about putting food on the table. [11] [12]
The costs have compounded every month since the Big, Ugly Bill was passed—and working families are still the ones picking up the tab. Instead of fixing the crisis they created, Republicans in Congress have used the cuts to health care and food assistance to funnel over $240 billion of unrestricted funds into militarized immigration enforcement, funding family separation and human rights abuses against hardworking immigrants who are essential to our care workforce, our economy, and our future. They allowed the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits to expire, spiking health care premiums for 22 million Americans and pricing 4.2 million more families out of coverage entirely. [13] [14] All the while, Trump’s tariffs and reckless wars have driven up the cost of groceries and gas.
As if that wasn’t enough, Congress is considering more cuts to health care and nutrition access in their annual funding bills, and taking every opportunity to keep the harmful H.R.1 cuts in place—the exact opposite of what moms need right now. [15] [16]
This 4th of July, we’re raising our voices to make life more affordable and easier for everyday families. When you click, you’ll automatically sign on to our petition that reads:
MomsRising members across the country urge Congress to seize every opportunity to restore and protect the health care and nutrition programs that taxpayers prioritize—programs essential to our economy and to opportunities for moms, children, and families to thrive.
The consequences of H.R. 1 are already being felt across the nation. As the cost of health care and groceries continues to rise, millions of families are losing access to the very programs that keep our nation healthy, fed, and financially stable. Just one year after its passage, nearly 5 million people have lost health coverage, and more than 4 million people have access to nutrition programs. [1] [2]
Families cannot afford further cuts. Congress must act now to strengthen—not weaken—the programs that allow parents to go to work, care for their children, stay healthy, contribute to their communities, and make ends meet.
Specifically, we call on Congress to:
- Reverse the health care cuts (including $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts) enacted through H.R. 1;
- Reverse the nutrition cuts enacted through H.R. 1 in this year’s Farm Bill;
- Reject any additional cuts to nutrition or health care programs in the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bills;
- Prioritize policies that expand access to affordable health care and nutrition assistance for all families, including permanently extending the ACA tax credits.
As we celebrate Independence Day with our loved ones, we are reminded that true freedom means having the ability to raise a family that can thrive, have affordable food, access health care, and build a secure future. Congress must act to protect that freedom.
Together, we are the persistent force that will move this nation toward a future where every family can thrive!
– Kristin, Donna, Olivia, Kelsey, Hanna, and the whole MomsRising / MamásConPoder team
References:
[1] Reflecting Pool renovations to cost more than $16 million – ABC News
[2] UFC Freedom 250 fight event at White House – Trump hosts and watches cage-side – CNN Politics
[3] Lawmakers Warn Trump Officials Not to Pursue Arch Project Without Congress – The New York Times
[4] Paying more for child care than your mortgage? You’re not alone. – The 19th
[5] One Year After the GOP Health Care Cuts, Over 1,000 Hospitals, Clinics, and Nursing Homes Across the Country Face Disaster – Protect Our Care
[6] $1 Trillion in Medicaid Cuts—$1 Trillion in Tax Giveaways for the Richest 1 Percent: The One Big ‘Beautiful’ Bill’s Budget Math – Center for American Progress
[7] Summary Changes to SNAP in H.R.1 – No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices
[8] Over Five Million Americans Lost Coverage In the Year Following Trump- GOP Health Care Cuts – Protect Our Care
[9] One Year After the GOP Health Care Cuts, Over 1,000 Hospitals, Clinics, and Nursing Homes Across the Country Face Disaster – Protect Our Care
[10] One Year After the GOP Health Care Cuts, Over 1,000 Hospitals, Clinics, and Nursing Homes Across the Country Face Disaster – Protect Our Care
[11] SNAP Tracker: People Are Losing Food Assistance as the Republican Megabill Is Implemented – Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
[12] Gender Equity and Basic Needs Programs Are Popular; Trump’s Policies Are Not – National Women’s Law Center
[13] Marketplace Plan Selections with Financial Assistance – KFF
[14] June 4, 2025 Honorable Ron Wyden Ranking Member Committee on Finance United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Honorable Frank
[15] Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis, House Republicans Jeopardize Health Care Coverage for Millions of Americans
[16] Ranking Member DeLauro on the Motion to Instruct Conferees to Reject House Republicans’ WIC Cuts and Adopt the Senate Funding Level
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