Senate Republicans Reject Senator Kim’s Amendment to Protect Medicaid for Millions of Americans and their Caregivers
April 5, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a 6.5 hour marathon voting session until 2:30 AM, Senator Andy Kim introduced an amendment to the Republican budget resolution to support New Jersey’s caregivers and prevent cuts to Medicaid coverage that millions of Americans rely on for their caregivers. Senate Republicans killed the amendment and voted for a budget that could slash Medicaid by $880 billion.
“This morning, I needed to rush up to my father as he took a bad fall…I had a long and emotional conversation with his caregiver about caring for and tending to his wounds, and about his limitations. I’ll be honest with you it’s hard leaving his side to drive straight here to the Capitol tonight for votes that could very well determine if aging seniors like my father will get the care that they need,” said Senator Kim during his floor remarks. “I can only be here voting today because a caregiver is there looking after my father right now. These caregivers deserve someone looking after them.”
Senator Kim introduced additional amendments to support the nearly two million New Jerseyans who rely on Medicaid for their critical care and protect essential coverage for children with disabilities or chronic conditions; long-term care coverage and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities; and opioid treatment programs. Cuts to Medicaid would impact 300,000 people with a disability in New Jersey and 60% of nursing home residents who utilize Medicaid for their care.
In their budget resolution, Senate Republicans continued to prioritize handing tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy at the expense of working families and abandon priorities that ensure Americans’ safety and security. Key provisions that Senator Kim supported that Senate Republicans refused to pass included preventing Trump’s tariffs from increasing the cost of groceries and everyday goods for families; continuing to provide security assistance to Ukraine; reversing the Trump administration’s cuts to the Social Security Administration and protecting seniors’ hard-earned benefits; and preventing cuts to food assistance for kids and families through programs like SNAP.
Senator Kim is a member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and the Special Committee on Aging. Before being elected to the U.S. Senate, Kim represented New Jersey’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House and was a career public servant working in national security and diplomacy at the White House, State Department, and Pentagon. Learn more about Senator Kim’s service on behalf of New Jersey here.
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