Submitted by Rep. Rick Larsen’s office

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the following statement ahead of voting no for the balanced budget amendment:

“The balanced budget amendment is a back-end way to cut health care, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. It is a hypocritical, underhanded attack on Americans who are least able to fight for these services,” said Larsen. “After passing a massive, unfair and irresponsible tax bill, Congressional Republicans are attempting to cover the cost of their reckless plan on the backs of millions of seniors across Washington state.”

Of the 7.2 million people living in Washington state, 1.8 million receive Medicaid. Two million Washington state seniors are enrolled in Medicare and 180,000 of these seniors also rely on Medicaid. Every one in six Washingtonians receives Social Security benefits.