The budget cuts of up to $2.5 trillion in federal Medicaid funding would threaten healthcare coverage for 4.5 million AANHPIs.
Our Bureau
Washington, DC
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) released the following statement on President Trump’s divisive Joint Address to Congress:
“President Trump had the chance to deliver a speech that unified the country and addressed the urgent needs of the American people. Instead, he chose to sow division, spread lies, and gaslight the public about his extreme policies that would harm the working class and millions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) across the nation.”
“Trump and Congressional Republicans want to pay for tax breaks for billionaires by slashing Medicaid, gutting public education, and ripping away food assistance—vital programs that our community depends on. His administration is intent on erasing AANHPI contributions from American history, ripping immigrant communities apart, and eliminating language access for individuals with limited English proficiency.”
“No golden age of America can happen while the lives and livelihoods of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are under attack. We will not be silenced. We will not be erased. And we will never stop demanding the respect, justice, and equality our communities deserve.”
Background:
The budget resolution passed by House Republicans and endorsed by President Trump would cut up to $2.5 trillion in federal Medicaid funding in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. This would threaten healthcare coverage for 4.5 million AANHPIs that were enrolled in Medicaid comprehensive benefits in 2020.
The budget resolution also threatens funding for food assistance, public education, school lunches, and affordable healthcare. Specific programs and benefits at risk of cuts include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Pell grants, Head Start, and the Affordable Care Act.
In addition to these harmful cuts, President Trump recently revoked Executive Order (EO) 13166, Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, that required federal agencies to provide language access to individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) who need help accessing federal services. This impacts nearly 32 percent of the AANHPI community that has LEP.
Under the direction of the Trump administration, federal agencies are no longer recognizing important commemorative dates, including AANHPI Heritage Month, that celebrate the contributions of diverse communities to the United States.
President Trump and Vice President Vance also argued for the reinstatement of a Department of Government Efficiency staff member who was linked to racist social media posts that advocated to “normalize Indian hate” and stated “I was racist before it was cool.” Since the 2024 election, violent threats in online platforms increased by 59 percent, with 73 percent of anti-Asian slurs and 75 percent of anti-Asian threats directed at South Asians. This surge coincided with the use of xenophobic rhetoric from President Trump and his allies.
Founded in 1994, the bicameral Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is composed of 79 Members of Congress who advocate on behalf of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The Caucus is led by Congresswoman Grace Meng, who was elected CAPAC Chair in 2024.
