Senate Advances Budget Resolution with $1 Billion in Cuts

• By: USAging
• On: 02/21/2025 12:45:20
• In: Policy & Advocacy

After a grueling all-nighter of voting on amendments, the Senate passed its budget resolution early this morning. The Senate plan would provide $340 billion in additional spending on border and defense and directs the Senate HELP and Finance Committees to find $1 billion in funding cuts. These committees collectively have jurisdiction over Medicare, Medicaid and OAA.

While the budget resolution itself does not have the force of law, it provides instructions to the relevant committees to carry out the increases, cuts and tax law changes that align with it. The Senate approach would create two separate bills that would have to pass the Senate later this year.

President Trump has endorsed the House's plan, which has similar provisions but proposes at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts; the House will attempt to pass these changes in one big bill. 

The Senate framed its budget resolution as a backup plan should the House fail to pass its resolution, but regardless of the number of bills, the end result could be massive funding cuts to critical Medicaid HCBS; to nutrition assistance in SNAP; and to other key programs that support older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers.

The pressure is on for the House as they return from recess next week with plans to vote on its budget resolution. For more details about how to engage your Members of Congress and advocate against these cuts, see yesterday's Advocacy Alert.