Who is threatening essential services?

I find it disingenuous of the Iowa Republican congressional delegation to blame Democrats on threats to essential services to Iowans. I find it ironic to hear them say that “Government is a service to the people” and that “Democrat politics is putting at risk essential services to Iowans.”

This after they wholeheartedly supported the gutting of government agencies that do indeed provide services to the people.

This after the “Big Bad Bill” includes massive cuts to Medicaid, in the form of direct cuts and undue work requirements. Over 80% of the people on Medicaid are children, elderly, and people with disabilities.

This after they voted to cut SNAP benefits. Again, the bulk of those affected are children, elderly, and those with disabilities.

This after they voted to cut Medicare (despite Trump’s promise not to touch it).

This after they voted not extend financial aid for health insurance for those who are self-employed or whose employers do not offer it.

And the devious thing is, the full impact of these cuts take place after next year’s midterms!

And then there are the cuts to federal programs that provide essential services like education funding, climate change (now a forbidden term) research, and science based medical research and services, to name just a few.

Democrats were fooled once that there would be negotiations after agreeing to Republican terms, then Republicans reneged and, adding insult to injury, Trump yanked funding that had already been approved.

So who’s really threatening essential services to Iowans?

Anne Salamon

Cedar Rapids