Congressman Krishnamoorthi Defends Illinois, Confronts Trump Medicaid Cuts, and Sets the Record Straight on Immigration at House Oversight Hearing with Governors

WASHINGTON — This morning, during a Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) defended Illinois, exposed the devastating consequences of President Donald Trump’s proposed Medicaid cuts, and set the record straight on the state’s immigration policies.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi used his time to call out the Trump administration for using the recent deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles as cover to avoid coverage of the House Republican budget plan, which the congressman refers to as the Large Lousy Law. In response to Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s questioning, Governor Pritzker confirmed that the proposed cuts would throw at least 700,000 Illinoisans off their health insurance and would lead to Illinoisans dying without access to health care. The proposed bill would also add trillions to the national debt, potentially triggering $500 billion in automatic cuts to Medicare, a program that every American senior depends on.

“What Trump doesn’t want to discuss is that his Large Lousy Law cuts $625 billion in Medicaid, a program that insures millions of Americans,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “Trump’s Large Lousy Law adds trillions to the national debt as well, which could force $500 billion in automatic cuts to Medicare. And of course, Medicare is a program every senior relies on.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi also pushed back on President Trump’s repeated attacks on Illinois, including the assertion from the president that Illinois is a “poorly run state.”

“Illinois has a $1.1 trillion economy,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “We produce the most soybeans in America, and we’re the number two producer of corn. We’re the number two manufacturing state in the country, and the number two destination for corporate expansions and relocations. We have the world’s first quantum and microelectronics park, and we’re ranked tops in the Midwest for workforce development and startups. Illinois is the heart and soul of America. I’m proud to be from Peoria, and I’ll always stand up for Illinois, loud and proud.”

The Congressman’s full question line is available here, and his introduction of Governor Pritzker here.