Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.
Far-right Republicans in the U.S. House are seeking cruel and savage cuts to programs that disproportionately benefit Black Americans and low-income Americans, and seem likely to force the federal government to shut down Sunday to press their demands.
Some 17.1% of Black American families live in poverty, compared with just 8.6% of white and Asian-American families. As a result, Black people would be hit especially hard by the proposed House Republican spending cuts, which are focused on programs to aid people with low incomes. Also hard hit would be Hispanic families, who have a 16.9% poverty rate, and Native Americans, with a 25% poverty rate.
The Republican MAGA extremists putting vital programs on the chopping block in the House are following the orders of former President Donald Trump. He wrote on his social media site this week that they should make no compromises with mainstream Republicans and Democrats.
Trump instructed Republican House members in his social media post: “UNLESS YOU GET EVERYTHING, SHUT IT DOWN!” And even though he is the one calling for a harmful and pointless government shutdown, Trump cynically wrote: “Whoever is President will be blamed.”
In contrast, President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., both urged House Republicans to fund the government to avoid the disastrous impacts of a government shutdown.
Of course, if every side in congressional disputes demanded they get everything they wanted, Congress would be permanently deadlocked and get almost nothing done. Without compromise, our government…
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