As the United States House of Representatives prepares for a floor debate on President Donald J. Trump's FY2026 budget bill, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) took to the steps of the U.S. Capitol this morning with his colleagues to express his strong opposition to the bill.

The bill yesterday passed in the United States Senate after Vice President J.D. Vance broke a 50-50 tie, sending the bill on a collision course with the House, and a battle-ready Pallone.

The ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee said the bill lays bare Republican Party cruelty under the leadership of Trump.

"That's what the Republicans are about - cruelty," he said. "It's the cruelest bill I've ever seen in my tenure."

Pallone assumed office in 1988.

Trump described his bill as big and beautiful.

"I call it cruel," said the Long Branch-based Congressman. "So many people will lose their health insurance and [face] a lack of affordability."

Seventeen million Americans would lose their health insurance if this bill moves forward in its current form, Pallone said. The expanded number of uninsured patients would transfer hospital and nursing home uncompensated care costs to insured patients, driving up premiums and copays for everyone.

In his bill, Trump prioritizes corporate power and wealth above the health of hardworking Americans, said Pallone.

From the Associated Press:

"The big bill seeks to make existing tax rates and brackets permanent, while also temporarily adding new ones Trump campaigned on — no taxes on tips, overtime pay or some automotive loans, along with a bigger $6,000 deduction in the Senate draft for seniors who earn no more than $75,000 a year.

"The wealthiest households would see a $12,000 increase, while the bill would cost the poorest people $1,600 a year, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office."

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the tax breaks would cost $3.8 trillion, cut spending by $1.5 trillion and add $2.4 trillion to the nation’s deficits over the decade.

In the process, it undoes healthcare protections and enhanced tax subsidies secured during the Obama years.

"This is reversing that completely for the average person," said Pallone, his voice rising in anger and dismay.

Without the enhanced subsidies of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) an insurance payer would see his premiums rise from $1,200 to $5,200 annually, said the Congressman.

"I know the Republicans are saying nobody is going to lose their health insurance if they work - that is a complete lie," said Pallone. "That is a complete lie."

Pallone's FULL Statement:

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement today in response to Senate Republicans’ updated tax and health care legislation:

“This bill is an outright disaster for New Jersey. Republicans in Congress are pushing the largest health care cuts in American history just to hand massive tax breaks to billionaires, and they’re doing it at the expense of working families in our state.

“According to new estimates, 363,000 New Jerseyans stand to lose their health care under this plan. That means hundreds of thousands of people in our state will no longer be able to afford to see a doctor, get their prescriptions filled, or receive preventive screenings. It will raise premiums, gut Medicaid (New Jersey FamilyCare), and force hospitals, especially those serving low-income communities, to close their doors.

“And it doesn’t stop there. The bill would defund Planned Parenthood, sabotage the Affordable Care Act by making hard to sign up for health care and drive-up medical debt across the country. Meanwhile, Republicans are using those same health care cuts to give away $5 billion to Big Pharma and extend tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. It’s a reverse Robin Hood scheme – taking from those who need care just to reward those who already have more than enough.

“On top of the health care sabotage, the bill undermines our progress on climate change by repealing investments from the Inflation Reduction Act that are lowering energy bills and creating clean energy jobs in New Jersey. It guts funding for the Inflation Reduction Act programs at the Environmental Protection Agency. All while giving more handouts to polluters.

“New Jersey families deserve better than a cruel, backroom deal that sells out their health and their future to pay off corporate interests. I’ll keep fighting this bill with everything I’ve got.”