PEF President Wayne Spence issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed their version of the federal budget bill on May 22, 2025:
“PEF is profoundly disappointed that New York’s Republican Congressional delegation did not do more to blunt the negative impact of the “One Big Beautiful bill” on New Yorkers. New York is the 3rdlargest economy in the nation and the 8th largest economy in the world. New Yorkers pay a disproportionate share to fund the services, programs and benefits afforded to all Americans through our federal government. By a vote of 215-214, the legislation passed by the U.S. House perpetrates economic and policy malpractice on all Americans, but especially hard-working New Yorkers. PEF is disappointed with every member of the New York delegation who voted in favor of stripping even more resources away from New Yorkers to fund a $4.5 trillion giveaway for the wealthiest Americans. This legislation literally strips food from hungry children and ends access to health care for millions of seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and children to continue a failed tax policy that disproportionately benefits wealthy Americans — a policy approach that has ballooned our federal deficit and our federal debt.
PEF, working through its national affiliates AFT and SEIU, will continue to fight this ill-conceived proposal as it makes its way to the U.S. Senate. Ultimately, after action in the Senate, the proposal will go back to the U.S. House for more negotiation and “reconciliation” prior to a final determination. I thank all of the PEF members who mobilized to stop this proposal. I urge every PEF member and every New Yorker who lives in a Republican Congressional District to call their representatives today to urge them to reconsider their position and to stop the harm they are inflicting on their constituents and the residents of our state.”