GOP pushes forward ‘America First’ budget as Democrats decry cuts to social programs and aid to the wealthy
Washington, D.C., April 10 — The U.S. House of Representatives engaged in a heated debate this week as lawmakers voted on the 2025 federal budget, a key component of former President Donald Trump’s renewed “America First” policy agenda. While Republicans hailed the budget as a step forward in fulfilling promises made to voters, Democrats condemned it as harmful to working-class Americans and the poor.
Republican Representative Virginia Foxx of North Carolina praised the resolution during deliberations, calling it a necessary move to uphold the party’s fiscal commitments. “This budget resolution marks the next step in the reconciliation process to advance President Trump’s America First Agenda and deliver upon the American people’s mandate from November,” said Foxx. “We have certainly heard our fair share of fear-mongering and flat-out falsehoods from Democrats and their bedfellows in the mainstream media. Let me be clear: this resolution unlocks the path forward to deliver upon our commitments to the American people.”
However, Democratic Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts delivered a sharp rebuke, branding the proposal as a budget for the rich at the expense of struggling families. “Mr. Speaker, this is a lousy budget,” said McGovern. “It will hurt working families. It will especially hurt those living in poverty. Republicans have succeeded in putting together a Marie Antoinette budget—helping the richest of the rich while hurting the poorest of the poor. ‘Let them eat cake’—that is the Republican motto. I have never seen such cruelty in a budget in all my years here.”
The proposed budget outlines deep cuts to social services, healthcare support, and poverty-alleviation programs, while increasing defense spending and providing tax benefits for the highest earners. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to face additional scrutiny. As the debate continues, the 2025 budget stands as a reflection of the stark ideological divide over the role of government in economic equity and national priorities.
