Statement from Lupe M. Rodríguez, Executive Director, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, on the Passage of the Budget Reconciliation Bill

We are devastated that this heartless bill is being signed into law. We’re about to see the largest cuts in history to Medicaid, CHIP, and the closure of hundreds of Planned Parenthood health centers, all of which millions of families trust and rely on for their health care. We’re going to see abortion access dramatically decrease in every state in this country with the Planned Parenthood closures, essentially achieving the national abortion ban extremists have wanted. We are also going to see devastating cuts to SNAP, robbing food — FOOD! — from hungry children and other vulnerable individuals all around the country.  At the same time, this will increase funds for this administration to supercharge its ruthless anti-immigrant attacks, leading to more fear and chaos for our communities as people are detained and separated from their families. This is all enraging and deeply immoral.

We know this will make a dire situation worse for Latines and immigrants who already struggle to get the care we need, make ends meet, feed our families, and survive an inhumane immigration system.

This is a very difficult day. But we can’t give up. We need to unite like never before and never stop fighting for a future where everyone can live safe, healthy lives and raise their families with dignity.