NJ Assembly Democrats Condemn House Passage of Budget Resolution, Urge U.S. Senate to Reject It

TRENTON — The General Assembly passed a Democratic-sponsored resolution on Thursday, February 27, 2025, condemning the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of a budget resolution slashing $1.5 trillion in federal funding over the next decade. In approving AR178, Assembly members urged the U.S. Senate to reject the resolution.

  On February 25, 2025, the U.S. House passed a budget resolution that specifically targets $880 billion in cuts from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which regulates public healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, $330 billion from the Education and Workforce Committee, and $230 billion from the Agriculture Committee, which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Given the size and scope of the desired cuts, policy experts believe these reductions are aimed at cutting two critical safety net programs—Medicaid and SNAP—which keep families afloat. 

 “The recently advanced resolution is a betrayal of hardworking Americans, putting the health of children, seniors and struggling families at risk. Funding reductions of this size would have drastic consequences for residents who rely on NJ FamilyCare for healthcare,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, who sponsored the resolution. “Possible cuts to SNAP benefits would be just as harmful. 

"In New Jersey, we’ve worked hard to make sure families don’t have to choose between paying their bills and putting food on the table. We’ve expanded food assistance, and this threatens to undo that progress," Coughlin continued. "Taking away support from those who need it is cruel and morally wrong. The U.S. Senate must do the right thing and preserve funding for these important programs.”

 In New Jersey, approximately 1.8 million low and moderate income people rely on NJ FamilyCare, which encompasses the State Medicaid program. According to the New Jersey Department of Human Services, which administers NJ FamilyCare, the House budget resolution would reduce federal matching funds for the program by up to $5.2 billion, nearly 22% of the program’s current budget. The Department also warns the State’s hospital systems alone could potentially lose up to $4.9 billion in Medicaid funding under various proposals circulating in Washington.

 Additionally, there are approximately 830,000 New Jersey residents who rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families.

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