Democrats accuse GOP of reverse Robin Hood 'scheme'

House Democrats wasted no time on Wednesday bashing the Republicans’ newly unveiled budget proposal, accusing GOP leaders of attempting a reverse Robin Hood “scheme” that will transfer trillions of dollars from the working classes to the wealthy.

“Life is getting more expensive under this administration,” said Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.). “What’s the response of this administration and House Republicans? To push forward a $4.5 trillion scheme to gut Medicaid — end it as we know it — and ultimately reward billionaires and corporations.

“It is a betrayal of the middle class.”

The accusations flew shortly after GOP leaders introduced their budget plan designed to advance a massive package of Trump’s legislative priorities, including a crackdown on immigration, an expansion of fossil fuel production and an extension of the Republicans’ 2017 tax cuts, some of which expire at the end of the year.

The proposal provides only a vague outline of the Republicans’ legislative plans, which they intend to move through a budget process, known as reconciliation, that allows the majority to bypass a Democratic filibuster in the Senate. But the contours provide for a massive tax-cut extension, partially offset by huge cuts in federal programs.

The blueprint allows for $4.5 trillion in new deficit spending as a result of the tax-cut extensions. And it directs the various House committees to find at least $1.5 trillion in cuts to federal programs under their jurisdiction, although it also includes a stated “goal” of $2 trillion in program cuts, which could affect the tax provisions if that target is not met.

Additionally, the plan also features a $4 trillion increase in the nation’s debt ceiling.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the Budget Committee will consider the resolution on Thursday.

“This will unlock the process and get us moving,” he said, “so we’re excited about it.”

Democrats warn that cuts of the size Republicans have envisioned will inevitably harm low- and middle-class Americans at a time when the cost of certain consumer goods is already high.

Democrats are sounding alarms about the practical effects of the GOP plan in hopes that those warnings resonate with voters of all stripes outside the Beltway. To do it, they’re pointing to specific programs likely to fall on the GOP’s chopping block.

“The Republican majority is proposing $2 trillion in spending cuts that includes significant decreases to Medicaid, to the [Affordable Care Act], food assistance, student loans, and sustainable energy programs — cuts that will make it harder on working families to afford college, to access health care and to put food on the table,” said Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.).

Democrats are also forecasting that, despite the trillions of dollars in proposed cuts, the GOP’s plans will inevitably pile trillions of dollars more onto the national debt.

“This is the same crew that, when Democrats were in charge, cried crocodile tears about deficits and debt. But then once they’re in office, they blow up the debt far more than any Democratic president or Democratic Congress has,” said Rep. Brendan Boyle (Pa.), senior Democrat on the Budget Committee.

“And why? Is it to help the middle class? Is it to help working Americans in my neighborhood in northeast Philadelphia?” he added. “No. It’s to give massive tax cuts to millionaires and to elite corporations.”

Democrats are also angry with actions taken by Trump, Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, which is facing legal fights over its efforts to dismantle agencies, buy out federal workers from their jobs and gain access to sensitive government payment systems.

The work is being carried out in the name of saving taxpayer money, but has raised a number of questions, including about Musk's conflicts of interest given the government contracts his companies enjoy.

“They are not looking to uncover waste. They are not looking to uncover fraud. And they’re not looking to save you money,” Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) told reporters in the Capitol.

“What they are doing is shifting the money,” she continued. “They want to cut jobs, they’re trying to eliminate much of the federal workforce. They are trying to cut programs and they are trying to eliminate agencies so that they can use that money to further enrich Elon Musk.”

Topics

AP Accuses White House of Violating First Amendment

The Associated Press said the White House had blocked its journalists from attending two press events because the news agency had not started using the term Gulf of America.
The New York Times - 8m
Tory MP’s killer released from UK anti-terror scheme too early, review finds

Prevent’s assessment of Ali Harbi Ali’s vulnerabilities was ‘problematic’ before murder of David Amess
Financial Times - 6h
Gabbard clears key Senate hurdle with unanimous GOP support

The cloture vote was a party-line vote.
Politico - 1d
Schumer warns GOP against a 'Trump shutdown'

Politico - 2d
Inside the House GOP clash over tax cuts

Hardliners are squaring off against their top tax writer as Republicans try to assemble a package President Donald Trump's priorities.
Politico - 2d
Former Postal Service employee sentenced in $24M stolen checks scheme

The former U.S. Postal Service employee who was charged in a $24 million stolen check scheme were sentenced last week to 60 months in prison. According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office ...
The Hill - 5h
Sudan fighters accused of storming famine-hit camp

Yahoo News - 5h
Thames Water investigated over delayed environmental schemes

Ofwat says Thames Water’s customers had paid for essential works, adding to pressure on utility
Financial Times - 13h
Local Government Pension Schemes are heading for an embarrassment of riches

How to scheme it
Financial Times - 16h
Portishead’s ‘reverse Beeching’ railway set to get green light

Renewed service promises to cut car commuting and get up to £43mn in economic growth on track annually
Financial Times - 17h
Democrat accuses Trump FBI pick Kash Patel of secretly ordering firings

Sen. Dick Durbin accused Kash Patel, President Trump's pick for FBI director, of secretly orchestrating the firings of FBI officials.
NBC News - 21h
How a D.C. school is working to reverse pandemic learning loss

Five years after the COVID pandemic forced millions of kids out of their classrooms, many student have yet to catch up. The average learner is still nearly half a grade behind in reading and math, ...
CBS News - 21h
House GOP skeptical it can advance Trump agenda by week’s end

House Republicans are growing increasingly skeptical that they can advance a framework for President Trump’s ambitious legislative agenda by the end of the week, with internal disagreements over ...
The Hill - 22h
GOP leaders downplay Medicaid cuts as they seek $2T in savings

House Republican leaders on Tuesday downplayed the possibility of cuts to Medicaid benefits as they seek a reconciliation bill with up to $2 trillion in savings. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and ...
The Hill - 23h
Education Dept. urges NCAA to reverse transgender athletes' records, titles and awards

The Education department said records, titles, and awards were 'wrongfully credited to' transgender women, whom it referred to as 'biological men.
NBC News - 1d
Disney cuts diversity category from executive pay scheme

Entertainment group faced allegations from conservative politicians that it pushed ‘woke’ agenda
Financial Times - 1d
GOP lawmaker proposes renaming Greenland 'Red, White, and Blueland’

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) introduced a new bill this week aiming to rename Greenland to "Red, White, and Blueland," as President Trump seeks to acquire the island territory. The legislation, called ...
The Hill - 1d
GOP senator: 'We have to' follow court decisions

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said “we have to” follow court decisions in the Trump administration’s various legal battles, even as top officials challenge the judicial actions. On Tuesday, Rounds was ...
The Hill - 1d
Trump halts prosecution of firms accused of bribery abroad

Trump has paused enforcement of an anti-corruption law, saying it "overreached" and stopped US firms from winning business overseas.
BBC News - 1d
House GOP to move forward with budget plan as Senate pursues competing proposal

Speaker Mike Johnson said House GOP expects to move forward on budget plan this week that lays foundation for approving Trump's agenda.
CBS News - 1d
Barça's León accused of 'violating' rival's 'intimacy'

Espanyol have expressed their "total condemnation" of an "unacceptable" incident in which Barcelona's Mapi León appeared to touch their player Daniela Caracas in the crotch area during Sunday's ...
ESPN - 1d
Trial of Salman Rushdie's accused attacker gets underway

The criminal trial of the man accused of attempting to murder author Salman Rushdie began with prosecutors saying Hadi Matar was on a mission when he rushed to attack Rushdie, stabbing him multiple ...
CBS News - 1d
Musk's money looms over GOP primaries

Welcome to The Hill's Technology newsletter {beacon} Technology Technology The Big Story Musk-funding primary threats scare GOP senators GOP senators are terrified over the prospect of facing ...
The Hill - 1d
GOP Rep. Andy Barr to run for Mitch McConnell's Senate seat

McConnell is up for reelection in 2026, and he has not said whether he plans to run again for an eighth Senate term.
CBS News - 2d
Barca's Leon accused of 'violating privacy' of opponent

Espanyol accuse Barcelona and Spain defender Mapi Leon of "violating the privacy" of their player Daniela Caracas following an incident in a Liga F game on Sunday.
BBC News - 2d
Barcelona’s Mapi León accused of ‘violating intimacy’ of opponent

Defender denies touching rival’s ‘private parts’ Espanyol offering legal services to Daniela Caracas Espanyol have expressed their “complete discontent and condemnation” of an “unacceptable” ...
The Guardian - 2d
Three men found guilty of murder in NYC gay bar drugging scheme

Three men were found guilty Monday of murder, robbery and conspiracy in connection with a drugging and robbery scheme that terrorized New York City gay bars and led to the deaths of two victims.
NBC News - 2d
Will Las Vegas prefer plastic straws if Trump reverses Biden-era plan?

President Trump wants to reverse a Biden-era move to limit the production of plastic straws. CBS News' Andres Gutierrez reports on reactions from Las Vegas.
CBS News - 2d
4 Nations Face-Off predictions: Championship game winner, round robin preview, tournament MVP

The highly anticipated best-on-best international tournament begins Wednesday
CBS Sports - 2d
The Democratic Party is not dead yet

Democrats can’t ignore the Americans’ disillusionment with our political institutions. They need to offer a plausible and persuasive message of change.
The Hill - 2d
Cartel leader's son-in-law pleads guilty in violent price-fixing scheme

The indictment and court testimony highlighted beatings, kidnappings and fatal shootings that were part of the conspiracy
CBS News - 2d
GOP senators terrified of crossing Trump, facing Musk-funded challengers

GOP senators are terrified over the prospect of facing primary challengers funded by Elon Musk if they stick their necks out by opposing President Trump's agenda The White House has signaled that ...
The Hill - 2d
Trial to begin of man accused of stabbing Salman Rushdie

A 27-year-old man faces a jury trial in New York state, where Mr Rushdie is expected to testify.
BBC News - 2d
Man Accused of Stabbing Salman Rushdie Goes on Trial

Hadi Matar is charged with attempted murder in the attack, which took place in 2022 as Mr. Rushdie was about to speak at an arts conference in western New York.
The New York Times - 2d
Stock futures reverse early losses as Trump to announce 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum imports

President Donald Trump said Sunday he will announce 25% tariffs against all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. on Monday.
MarketWatch - 2d
Trump might be stuck with Biden’s funding priorities for longer than GOP hoped

President Trump could be stuck with spending priorities set under the Biden administration for longer than congressional Republicans had hoped. As Congress struggles to strike a bipartisan ...
The Hill - 3d
GOP gains in voter registration raise red flags for Democrats

Republican gains in voter registration are raising red flags for Democrats in key states, underscoring the inroads the GOP made across the country in 2024. Active registered Republicans now ...
The Hill - 4d
‘They chucked her under the bus – then reversed it back over her’: has the Emilia Pérez backlash gone too far?

Karla Sofía Gascón’s precipitous fall from Oscars frontrunner to industry pariah has left many in Hollywood rethinking their tactics – and questioning their ethics. The dramatic cancellation of ...
The Guardian - 5d