DeLaney offers amendment to protect Hoosiers from federal funding cuts

Today, Feb. 19, State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment to the state budget that would allow the state surplus to be used to restore funding for state programs if they are impacted by federal funding cuts. The amendment failed along party lines by a vote of 29-65. 

DeLaney released the following statement following the defeat of his amendment on the House floor: 

“This is the most serious thing I have offered all session. We are in danger of falling off a funding cliff if the federal government cuts cost us billions of dollars. If the President is successful in cutting the programs he wants to, our legislature will face tough decisions to save our citizens from losing access to critical services. 

“One of my proudest moments in the Statehouse was when former Gov. Mike Pence expanded health care access for thousands of Hoosiers when he created the Healthy Indiana Plan. Now, we stand to lose tens of millions of dollars if the federal government cuts Medicaid, and thousands of Hoosiers face losing access to health care. 

“Health research. Veterans resources. Road funding. Infrastructure improvement. Agriculture support. Education programs. Hoosiers relying on these essential services will be in serious trouble if our new federal leadership is successful in cutting off funding. 

“Even my colleagues across the aisle acknowledge that our budget is at risk of Washington leaving us out to dry. We must protect Hoosiers from this potential financial catastrophe.”