New Yorkers Demand Emergency Session as Millions Face Health Insurance Loss from "Federal Budget Scam"

Advocates warn Governor Hochul and Legislative Leadership that failure to act will devastate communities 

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NEW YORK, NY – Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado and state elected officials joined a coalition of advocacy organizations today to demand that Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins immediately convene a special legislative session to protect New Yorkers from the Federal Budget Scam. This devastating federal legislation –– supported by every New York Congressional Republican –– will strip health insurance from 1.5 million New Yorkers, force hospital closures across the state, and put thousands of families at risk of kidnapping and inhumane treatment, while handing massive tax breaks to billionaires and corporations.

“The Federal Budget Scam will make life harder: hospitals will close, health insurance premiums and utility bills will skyrocket, and public benefits — which we all contribute to — will be inaccessible to those who need them,” a statement released by 63 supporting organizations reads. “New Yorkers can't wait any longer for lawmakers to fight back.”

The coalition, is calling for lawmakers to immediately mitigate the funding cuts by taxing the wealthy, and to pass the New York for All and Dignity Not Detention Acts to protect immigrant communities from expanded ICE enforcement. Anything less will devastate communities across the state.

More coalition partners joined together in Albany to ensure the demand was heard in the halls of the Capitol, as well.

“The Republican budget passed in Washington is a direct attack on New Yorkers. It will take health care away from families, supercharge immigration raids, and hand out tax breaks to billionaires. We cannot wait until January while people are getting sicker, hungrier, and less safe. Albany has the power to act now. A special session is how we protect our neighbors, invest in care, and make sure New York lives up to its responsibility to lead,” said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, who first called for a special session in a New York Times OpEd two weeks ago.

“Trump is kidnapping our immigrant neighbors, gutting Medicaid, and raising costs for working families - all while giving tax breaks to his ultra-wealthy friends. He is continuously escalating his attacks, yet the state of New York is failing to substantially fight back. New Yorkers have made it clear they need their leaders to stand up to Trump, to ICE, and frankly to the billionaire donor class as well,” said State Senator Julia Salazar. “That means ending New York’s cooperation with ICE by passing Dignity Not Detention and New York For All. It means raising taxes on the 1% so they finally pay their fair share. I’m calling on our state leaders to reconvene the legislature so we can use our power and privilege as lawmakers to protect our people." 

Assemblymember Emily Gallagher said, "The federal administration is defunding our most critical services — medical care and nutrition assistance — so that it can give tax breaks to billionaires and build an army to terrorize immigrants. If left unchecked, this will have ripple effects on the health, safety, and well-being of all New Yorkers. We must fight back.  A one percent increase in taxes on the wealthiest individuals and corporations would raise billions to back-fill the cuts and deliver important services. If the Governor is serious about standing up to Trump, she will call a special session to tax the rich and pass Dignity not Detention and NY4All to protect our people and end our state's complicity with ICE."

“We are in the midst of an economic crisis—one that is devastatingly worsened by the Trump administration’s reckless leadership. Millions of New Yorkers are losing access to lifesaving healthcare and essential resources. Families live in fear of ICE raids. Food insecurity is on the rise. But this is not inevitable—we need a special session now. New Yorkers are counting on us to fight for them, and we must rise to the moment. It’s time for bold action to protect our most vulnerable and ensure the ultra-wealthy—who continue to profit off the backs of working people—finally pay their fair share. We have a moral obligation to deliver justice for all New Yorkers,” said Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas.

"The harmful changes made to the budget under the so-called ‘Beautiful’ Bill are nothing short of a scam on working-class New Yorkers. We deserve better,” said Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes. “We are the ones building the future of our communities—and it's time the ultra-wealthy finally pay their fair share. Governor Hochul must act now. We need a special session to confront this crisis and protect working-class families across the state."

“This is a moral emergency. The Federal Budget Scam is a direct attack on the working-class families of the South Bronx and across New York—from gutting Medicaid and SNAP to ramping up ICE raids that tear families apart. We are already seeing the fallout: hospitals under strain, skyrocketing premiums, and parents wondering how they’ll feed their children. The solution is clear: tax the ultra-wealthy and protect the people who make this state run. We must convene a special session in Albany now—not months from now, not after more harm is done. We have a responsibility to use every tool we have at our disposal to protect New Yorkers, and calling a special session is the first step.,” said Assemblymember Amanda Septimo.

"New York is home to more billionaires than any other city on earth. Meanwhile, over a million working New Yorkers are facing cuts to healthcare and food assistance. It’s shameful. Our state leadership must act. It’s a fiscal and moral necessity that our state leaders convene a special session to tax the rich and protect all our communities," said Assemblymember Claire Valdez.

"The money to fix this crisis exists – it's just sitting in billionaires’ bank accounts while New York families choose between medicine and rent," said Carolyn Martinez-Class, on behalf of the Invest in Our New York Campaign. "Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins have a critical opportunity to be the leaders who protected New Yorkers when Washington attacked us - we urge them to take it."

"Our communities are exhausted. The Federal Budget is stripping healthcare from over a million New Yorkers, threatening food assistance for millions more, and destabilizing families, all while the wealthiest have gotten richer. With the rising cost of living and the federal government dismantling the social safety nets that New York’s working families, children, and communities depend on, Albany must make the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, and pass the New York for All and Dignity in Detention Acts to help keep our communities whole,” said Marina Marcou-O'Malley, Co-Executive Director, Alliance for Quality Education.

“Our communities are already stretched to the breaking point — and now the Trump Administration’s cruel cuts threaten to rip away the services that keep us healthy, housed, and safe,” said Rebecca Garrard, Co-Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York. “Governor Hochul has the power — and the moral obligation — to stop the damage. A special session isn’t optional; it’s a lifeline. We can’t balance the budget on the backs of working people while billionaires get richer. We demand that Albany acts now to protect our communities and the future of everyday New Yorkers.”

Maria, a Staten Island resident and member of Make the Road New York, shared, “Oftentimes I'm afraid to leave my house because I don't know if ICE will stop me and separate me from my daughter. I also suffer from diabetes, and depend on medicine. Going to the hospital now is no longer safe as I fear ICE could be waiting outside. Our hospitals, schools, and libraries should be safe spaces. I have worked hard, paid my taxes, and contributed to this country. It is not right that our money and resources are being used to arrest community members. I ask our state legislature to take care of immigrants like me, and ask Assembly Speaker  Carl Heastie, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Governor Kathy Hochul to have a special legislative session, and pass the New York for All Act. This is the time to protect our state, and our community.”

“New York has more billionaires than anywhere on Earth — yet while they get richer, our healthcare is being ripped away, preventable overdoses will skyrocket, and our communities will be devastated by the Trump-led Republican Death-Dealing Budget,” said Hiawatha Collins, Community Leader and Vice Board Chair at VOCAL-NY. “With full Democratic control, there’s no excuse for inaction. Albany must act now: tax the ultra-wealthy, protect immigrant New Yorkers, and stop the brutal destruction of our safety net before it’s too late.”

"This is an emergency. Federal cuts to Medicaid and other vital programs combined with huge tax cuts for the super-rich and an unprecedented expansion of ICE will have a devastating impact on every part of New York. Millions of New Yorkers will lose health coverage and food benefits, our healthcare system and economy will be further destabilized, and our state budget will face a multi-billion dollar hole. Even more of our neighbors will be disappeared-- all while the super-rich get richer. We are facing a moral crisis as much as a political or economic one, and it calls for bold and urgent action from our elected leaders. Gov. Hochul, Speaker Heastie, and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins can and should call a special legislative session as soon as possible to protect public services by taxing the rich and to pass New York for All and Dignity Not Detention to protect New Yorkers from ICE," said Rev. West McNeill, Director, NYS Labor-Religion Coalition 

"The MAGA budget is an attack on New Yorkers. But we can’t just give up when funding cuts threaten our health and well-being and when secret police threaten our communities,” said Adam Ring, Coordinator for Indivisible Brooklyn. “Governor Hochul and our state legislators have an obligation to fight for us! Let’s restore the lost funding by making the ultra-wealthy pay what they owe. Let’s make sure New York doesn’t devote our reduced resources to a mass deportation campaign. And let’s make it happen now by calling a special session right away."

"The budget reconciliation bill is an unconscionable attack on poor and working class people across the U.S., and states like New York have the power to do much more to protect their residents. While the super-rich benefit from a huge federal tax break, New York can raise taxes on millionaires and billionaires to cover the shortfall created by federal cuts. While the federal government invests unprecedented amounts in detaining and deporting our immigrant neighbors, New York can pass New York for All and Dignity Not Detention to keep state and local resources from being used to further terrorize our communities. Gov. Hochul and legislators should come back to Albany right away to get these things done," said Rev. Liz Theoharis, Executive Director, Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice

“This Fall, under the new federal tax cut law, tens of thousands of New Yorkers who rely on our Essential Plan or an Affordable Care Act health plan will either be banned from it outright, or lose their premium subsidy or see it drop considerably. At the same time, their premium prices are going up considerably, so many will have no choice to drop their health insurance because they will no longer be able to afford it,”  said Mark Hannay, Director of Metro New York Health Care for All, and Coordinator of Health Care for America Now’s New York State Network.  “This situation is an immediate crisis that our State leaders must address right away after Labor Day, before the ACA open enrollment period begins on November 1^st.  These people cannot wait until next year when the Legislature and Governor finally agree on a state budget in the Spring.”

"The Trump administration and its allies in Congress have declared war against New York’s immigrant children and families,” said Abena Hutchful, Policy and Litigation Attorney at the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. “As masked militants raid, detain and separate immigrant children from their families we ask our state representatives to stand with us in protecting every New Yorker’s right to safety, dignity, and due process by passing the New York for All and the Dignity Not Detention Act.” 

Assemblymember Ron Kim, lead Assembly sponsor of the Invest in Our New York Capital Gains Tax legislation, said: "Extremist politicians in Washington have passed a bill to cut trillions in Medicaid, Medicare, and essential living assistance from countless Americans. New York alone is facing billions in costs to housing, healthcare, and other vital services. This is the time to take a stand and fight for our fellow New Yorkers. My fellow lawmakers and I must reconvene in Albany to pass measures to protect the lives and dignity of the people of our state."

"The strength of our state is measured not by the fortunes of the few, but by the well-being of the many. New York must choose fairness over austerity. My Progressive Income Tax bill ensures the ultra-rich contribute their fair share, generating the resources needed to invest in housing, education, healthcare, and infrastructure for all. The Invest in Our New York campaign offers a clear and responsible path to a stronger, more equitable future. I am ready to do my part alongside my colleagues to ensure justice, creating a more equitable state for all New Yorkers,” said Senator Robert Jackson, lead Senate Sponsor of the Invest in Our New York Progressive Income Tax legislation.

"Convening a special session would mean tackling the chaos created by the Republicans in Washington DC head on. We cannot wait until January to raise revenue to protect healthcare and hospitals. We cannot wait to pass New York for All and Dignity Not Detention Acts to protect our neighbors from being targeted and snatched by masked ICE agents. We cannot wait to govern at the state level while the federal government is hell bent on destruction to deliver tax cuts for billionaires,” said Senator Gustavo Rivera, lead Senate sponsor of the Invest in Our New York Capital Gains Tax legislation.

"Trump and his Republican accomplices are taking a sledgehammer to Medicaid, food stamps and other programs that New York families rely on, all to give billionaires yet another tax break," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "Meanwhile, he's using our immigrant neighbors as a scapegoat, tearing apart families and making us less safe. It's callous and cruel, but we don't have to roll over and accept it. It's time for New York to step up, protect our communities and fight back against Trump's budget scam."

"Our communities cannot wait. The federal budget cuts are already hurting working families; making it harder to access healthcare, put food on the table, and feel safe in their own neighborhoods. I stand with the Invest in Our New York Campaign and all our partners in calling for a special session. We must take bold action now to protect our most vulnerable, make New York more affordable, and ensure that the wealthiest pay their fair share," said Assemblymember George Alvarez.

“I join the Invest in Our New York Campaign in calling for a Special Session in response to federal budget cuts and ICE raids that are tearing apart families,” said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein. “We must develop a plan to address federal cuts by making billionaires and corporations pay their fair share. We must also pass New York for All and the Dignity Not Detention Acts, which I am proud to cosponsor, to stand up for our immigrant neighbors against these cruel actions.”

The federal budget coming out of Washington is a disaster for working-class New Yorkers. It threatens our health, our safety, and our communities while the wealthiest one percent walk away with tax breaks. We can’t just wait and see what happens next—families are already losing health care, ICE raids are ramping up, and hospitals and food programs are facing devastating cuts. New Yorkers need our state leaders to take immediate action to protect our communities, invest in the programs that keep us safe and healthy, and ensure that billionaires and corporations finally pay their fair share,” said Assemblymember Steven Raga.

Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest said, “Working-class New Yorkers are facing a crisis on every front: skyrocketing rents, crumbling public housing, underfunded schools, and immigrants left vulnerable to cruel federal attacks. If the legislature can make time to give out tax breaks to billionaires and luxury developers, we can absolutely come back for a special session to tax the rich and invest in the people who keep this state running.” 

HEAR FROM COALITION AND LEGISLATIVE PARTNERS THAT JOINED TOGETHER IN ALBANY:

“The recent federal budget is a catastrophe for working families across New York State, cutting SNAP benefits for 3 million people, stripping health insurance from 1.5 million, draining resources from our hospitals, and causing even more devastating consequences for our communities,” said Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero. “These reckless decisions will leave New Yorkers sicker, hungrier, and less safe, with low-income families and black and brown families hit hardest, all while millionaires and billionaires benefit. I will always advocate for our most vulnerable populations to ensure the enactment of legislation that safeguards their rights and well-being, both within the 109th Assembly District and throughout the State of New York.”

"We are amidst the largest, most aggressive deportation campaign in US history, a proliferation of 287g agreements in the State of New York, and have concrete evidence of the state collusion with ICE,” said Bryan MacCormack, Co-Executive Director of Columbia County Sanctuary Movement. “Despite this dystopian reality, the leadership of New York's democratic supermajority made a conscious decision to squash sensible legislation to protect immigrant New Yorkers, instead rubber-stamping continued collusion between NY agencies and federal immigration enforcement to separate families. We are demanding the leadership to convene a special session to pass New York for All and Dignity Not Detention."

"New York has both the power and the wealth to backfill federal cuts that impact our state and local budgets—cuts that were made to pay for tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy, and to embolden ICE with unprecedented funding,” said Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha. “Trump's enacted spending plan, which is not even the end of it, will set our healthcare system, public safety, and localities back for many years to come if New York sits by idly and does little. The right thing to do in this moment isn't to simply respond to the federal government's devastating acts; it is to lay the path to implement our own vision, our own project, to create the economy and future New Yorkers deserve. We must start by going back to Albany this fall to tax the rich and pass legislation to protect our immigrant neighbors."

"We're proud to stand alongside advocates calling on state leaders to step up and protect New York families," said Ryan Healy, Advocacy Manager at Feeding New York State. "In light of the federal government's horrific decision to strip healthcare and food assistance from struggling families to finance trillion-dollar tax breaks for the rich, our state has no choice but to right this wrong. New York must act with urgency in guaranteeing healthcare to all as a human right and protecting New York families targeted by this administration."

"With our immigrant neighbors being snatched off the streets of New York communities every day, we cannot afford to wait any longer to clearly separate local law enforcement from the lawless actions of ICE,” said Terry Diggory, Co-Coordinator with Saratoga Immigration Coalition. “This special need requires a special session of the legislature to pass NewYork4All now!"

"Our communities are exhausted. The Federal Budget is stripping healthcare from over a million New Yorkers, threatening food assistance for millions more, and destabilizing families, all while the wealthiest have gotten richer. With the rising cost of living and the federal government dismantling the social safety nets that New York’s working families, children, and communities depend on, Albany must make the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, and pass the New York for All and Dignity in Detention Acts to help keep our communities whole,” said Marina Marcou-O'Malley, Co-Executive Director, Alliance for Quality Education.

TeAna Taylor, associate director of the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign, said, “Trump’s cruel budget is squeezing working-class families like mine, stripping healthcare, gutting food programs, and fueling ICE raids–while billionaires get tax breaks. My father is incarcerated, and like so many elders inside, he has taken full accountability and is ready to come home. Bringing people like him back to their families wouldn’t just make our communities stronger–it would save New York millions. Lawmakers have a clear choice: tax the ultra-wealthy, fund care, and stop punishing those who’ve already paid more than enough.”

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