Quigley Statement on the Passage of Trump’s Big Ugly Bill

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement after voting no on the Trump-Republican Big Ugly Bill:

“There is nothing beautiful about this bill. No American will be untouched by the damage it will do to our communities. Seventeen million Americans will lose access to healthcare. Nine rural hospitals in Illinois are at risk of closing. Over 200,000 Illinois residents will lose access to SNAP food benefits. Illinois families will pay $400 more a year for energy. All of this, while ballooning our national debt by at least $3 trillion.

“Disturbingly, Republicans seem to know exactly how harmful this bill is because dozens of them pledged to oppose it. Just yesterday, the House came to a standstill for over eight hours because the House Freedom Caucus attempted to negotiate changes to the bill. They failed. Today, those members voted for the unchanged bill anyway.

“The bottom line is that Republicans are willing to sacrifice their constituents to keep Donald Trump happy. But I am laser-focused on protecting the residents of Illinois’ Fifth District and doing everything I can to safeguard Medicaid, SNAP, and every benefit that keeps Americans safe and healthy.

“I firmly believe that years from now, we will look back in disbelief and shame at the United States Congress for passing such a harmful bill.”