Washington, D.C. – Today, Congress is poised to pass the Republicans’ massive budget reconciliation bill. The legislation will then go directly to President Trump for his signature. Representative Byron Donalds (FL-19) has indicated that he will vote ‘yes’ to the legislation, which is set to:

• Gut Inflation Reduction Act clean energy tax credits, in a move that is expected to raise consumer utility bills across the country; and
• Strip approximately 5 million people, including over 253,000 Floridians, partly or completely from receiving federal food assistance via Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Donalds’ vote comes at a time when millions of his constituents struggling with high costs of living face the threat of skyrocketing energy bills. In February, Florida Power & Light requested the largest rate hike in United States history, priced at nearly $10 billion. If approved, Food & Water Watch analysis finds that the average FPL customer would pay $360 more annually. FPL customers are already paying 38% higher bills since December 2019.

Food & Water Action Southern Regional Director Jorge Aguilar stated: 

“This budget passage will mark a dark day for America. In Florida, where hundreds of thousands rely on federal food assistance and millions struggle to pay rising energy bills, Rep. Donalds’ anticipated ‘yes’ vote is extremely disappointing. As the presumptive Republican nominee for Governor, every vote he takes should be judged as a statement of his values. Floridians will remember this budget vote as enabling tax cuts for the wealthiest on the backs of Florida families.”

“Donalds represents more working- and middle-class Floridians than he does billionaires. He must flip the switch and embrace a platform that fights to alleviate the heavy economic hardships that unite so many of us. That should begin with his public opposition to Florida Power & Light’s greedy rate hike request.”