Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1539593
9 supports for students with chronic illnesses, trauma and mental health needs, especially in high-need communities. Research sug- gests that the amount given in tax breaks to just the top 5% of earners in California alone (making more than $650,000 annually) would cover the costs to maintain SNAP and health care benefits for all current Califor- nia recipients. O u r u n i o n l e d d e l e g a t i o n s t o t h e s e elected officials this spring, visiting their offices and holding meetings to ask them to support our public schools, students and vulnerable communities. Our historic Fight For Schools campaign, culminating in five simultaneous rallies in May from the streets of San Francisco to the front door of Rep. Valadao's office in Hanford , called on the nine republicans to do the right thing, sup- port their constituents and defend working people in their districts. But the Republicans chose fealty to Pres- ident Trump, corporations and billionaire donors over the health and welfare of the communities they were elected to ser ve. Despite massive negative impacts to resi- dents in their districts, all nine voted Yes on Trump's budget bill, which passed by the thin- nest of margins in both chambers of Congress and was signed by Trump on July 4. "Our fight continues to defend our stu- dents and families under attack, protect vital federal funding for services our communities need, and to hold these Nasty Nine Congres- sional reps accountable for their votes to harm the residents in their districts," Gold- berg says. "Union educators will never forget these shameless attacks on our people, our future and our democracy." " We must hold these Congressional reps accountable for their votes to harm the residents in their districts. Union educators will never forget these shameless attacks on our people, our future and our democracy." —CTA President David Goldberg congress members prioritizing billionaires over kids Rep. Doug LaMalfa CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT (CD) 1 — CTA members in his district requested a meeting multiple times; no response. From Northern California, LaMalfa is a climate change denier who consistently votes against environmental protections despite representing a wildfire-prone district. Rural families in his district rely heavily on MediCal and school-based health services. LaMalfa has often said he wants to "protect rural health care" and criticized policies that would "harm access for vulnerable families," but he voted to slash Medicaid — devastating rural hospitals and school-based services in his district and leaving vulnerable families hanging. Potential Impact: $3 billion cut to Medicaid funding over 10 years, 33,820 residents expected to lose health coverage. Rep. Kevin Kiley CD 3 — Kiley gained attention a few years back opposing COVID-19 safety measures and rail- ing against public education and labor unions. He champions school privatization efforts and voted for the massive cuts that will strain safe- ty-net schools in Sierra and Sacramento suburbs. Kiley previously claimed he would oppose "any bill that jeopardizes health care for working families," but he voted YES on deep Medicaid cuts, including work requirements and block grants that will reduce coverage in low-income regions. Potential Impact: $2.5 billion Medicaid cut over 10 years, 18,940 projected to lose health coverage. Rep. Tom McClintock CD 5 — CTA members in his district requested a meeting multiple times; no response. McClintock opposes nearly all federal social programs and environmental regulations, and has faced signfiicant backlash from senior citizens and veterans in his community for deep cuts to the services they rely upon. He has long attacked immigrant rights and dismisses climate change. Then: Promised he would fight to "protect vital services for seniors and children." Now: Voted for a budget that slashes health care access for exactly those groups. Potential Impact: $3 billion Medicaid cut over 10 years, 26,955 to lose health coverage. 1 2 3 25 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5