Fearing funding cuts, ‘Voices’ call out D’Esposito

A coalition of advocacy groups gathered outside the Social Security Administration office in Freeport last week, when a government shutdown had yet to be averted, to call on U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito to oppose potential funding cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. The Sept. 26 news conference was organized by Empire State Voices, a self-described grass-roots advocacy organization, as part of what it is calling an economic accountability campaign.

Empire State Voices launched earlier this year with the mission of hold members of Congress accountable for their votes on economic issues. It kicked off the effort in New York’s 4th Congressional District, planning to monitor and challenge D’Esposito’s actions.

“We’re here today because we’re angry,” the group’s executive director, Maria Martinez, said. “House Republicans are threatening to use a government shutdown as leverage to pass their extreme agenda, an agenda that would harm hard-working families across Long Island and New York state.”

The shutdown was averted last weekend, but House Republicans’ funding priorities are causing concern among many New Yorkers on the other side of the political aisle, because they could have severe repercussions for residents and the state’s economy. Republican bills currently under consideration include significant cuts to programs and services including education, health care, housing and workforce development.

Critics argue that while House Republicans claim the cuts are fiscally responsible, they could add at least $100 billion to the nation’s deficits over a decade. Additionally, separate corporate tax cuts worth over $500 billion, including retroactive tax breaks, raise questions in critics’ minds about Republicans’ true priorities.

Among their proposals is an 80 percent cut in Title I funding, which, among other things, supplements state allocations for schools. That, opponents argue, would potentially affect over 1 million students, increase housing costs, and mean longer wait times for Medicare services and Social Security benefits.

“People cannot afford their rent, their mortgage, their food,” Lisa Tyson, the executive director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition, said at the event. “Yet these MAGA extremists are trying to shut down the government for political theater, for their own little games. Their families might have enough money in the bank to get through this period, but most do not. Stop the politics and start doing your job.”

The news conference brought together 13 organizations, including Make the Road Action, the Long Island Progressive Coalition, Communications Workers of America and the Working Families Party. Their primary concern was the looming government shutdown, and the use of appropriation bills by House Republicans to advance their agenda. Those bills, if passed, could result in cuts to vital programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; and other food assistance programs.

The participants also highlighted the importance of protecting programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. “Without Medicaid, the cost of my mother’s care would have wiped us out financially in the blink of an eye,” Lorraine Banks-Attias, a resident of East Meadow, said at the conference. “Cutting funding to these critical programs will directly harm hard-working families like mine who are just trying to look after their loved ones and make ends meet. Representative D’Esposito, please don’t cut these vital programs.”

The choice of Freeport as the site of the event was a strategic one, because it houses a Social Security Administration office. Advocates wanted to draw attention to the potential harm that funding cuts could inflict on Long Island families already grappling with financial hardships, including difficulties affording rent, utilities and health care.

“Our intent here is to continue to hold them accountable, whether it’s through press conferences, rallies, protests, office visits,” Martinez said, referring to Long Island’s Republican congressional delegation, which also includes Representatives Nick LaLota, in the 1st Congressional District; Andrew Garbarino, in the 2nd District; and George Santos, in the 3rd C.D. “We’re here because we want to make sure that constituents know what they’re doing in Congress. We’re not going to let any of that slide.”

The groups’ message to D’Esposito and his colleagues was clear: prioritize the needs of working-class and middle-class families over the interests of big corporations and billionaires.

“Every day, we’re seeing the struggles that families are going through on Long Island just to get by,” Jeremy Joseph, of the Nassau Working Families Party, said. “Prices are going up, wages are going down, and we’re desperate for representation that works for us and not against us.”