Asian Americans Advancing Justice Outraged by Destructive Reconciliation Bill’s Passage in House of Representatives

The Reconciliation Bill directly attacks not just immigrant communities, but all Americans
Share
For Immediate Release
Contact
Aleisha Flores (771)-233-8202 aflores@advancingjustice-aajc.org
Liana Liang lliang@ajsocal.org
Grace Pai gpai@advancingjustice-chicago.org
James Woo media@advancingjustice-atlanta.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives narrowly passed the Reconciliation Bill, betraying the American people and abandoning the values that established this country as a beacon of hope, freedom and justice. The legislation will now go directly to President Trump, who has made clear he intends to sign this destructive package into law by July 4. 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice, a network of four independent Asian American civil rights organizations, issues the following statement:  

“When the House initially passed the Reconciliation Bill in May, we were appalled by the harm it would cause to immigrant communities, including Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs). We are again equally outraged by their final approval. This legislation prioritizes harmful immigration crackdowns at the expense of the urgent needs of everyday Americans. If enacted, this bill will gut vital programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and student financial aid, stripping resources from vulnerable communities. 

“This Reconciliation Bill is especially harmful for the over 23 million AANHPIs who call the United States home. The bill’s provisions are particularly detrimental for the over 2.3 million AANHPIs with low incomes. 

  • The bill will negatively affect SNAP recipients, including more than 1 million Asian Americans and 128,000+ Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders currently receiving SNAP benefits, putting them at a higher risk of food insecurity. 
  • An estimated 16 million people, including many AANHPIs, will lose health insurance. Currently, 17% of Asian Americans rely on Medicaid, and 1 in 4 AANHPI children will lose access to health insurance with the elimination of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
  • The bill’s Pell Grant and loan cap decreases will hamper AANHPI access to higher education. Currently, 47% of Asian American students receive federal financial aid assistance to pursue higher education. 

“The Reconciliation Bill directly attacks not just immigrant communities, but all Americans who rely on essential health and nutrition programs to live and support their families. We need laws that invest in opportunities and our future—that uplift families and the most vulnerable, not laws that cater to the mega-rich and funnel resources into systems of exclusion and cruelty. We urge the President to veto this harmful bill and to instead focus on the needs of everyday Americans.” 

### 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice is a national affiliation of four leading organizations advocating for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and other underserved communities to promote a fair and equitable society for all. The affiliation's members are: Advancing Justice - AAJC (Washington, DC), Advancing Justice - Atlanta, Advancing Justice – Chicago, and Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL).