NYSUT President Melinda Person released the following statement on the passage of the federal reconciliation bill:
NYSUT condemns the so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill' for what it actually is: a massive transfer of wealth from working people to billionaires, devastating cuts to education and healthcare programs that help build our communities, and the largest addition of debt to our federal deficit in history. The massive cuts to Medicaid alone could shift costs to New York's budget, forcing impossible choices between funding schools and providing healthcare to students and their families. This isn't fiscal responsibility — it's economic sabotage that destroys important programs families depend on while handing trillions to those who have already profited the most and need it least.
"Our students deserve better than this cruel legislation that prioritizes tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy over investments in education, healthcare and the future of our communities. NYSUT will always defend educators, students and public schools with everything we have."
The bill, which passed both houses of Congress on July 3, is poised to be one of the most damaging pieces of legislation in US history when it is signed into law. It will slash essential things like healthcare and education for millions of Americans while handing massive tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy, adding $3.3 trillion to our national debt.
NYSUT President Melinda Person broke down some of the details of the bill in a recent video series.