As Republican chaos pushes us closer to a federal government shutdown, Common Cause urges Senator Dick Durbin to reject President Trump’s dangerous budget proposal and stand up for the health of our families and our democracy.  

Congress is the last line of defense against Trump’s ‘Billionaire Budget,’ which prioritizes tax cuts for the wealthy elite while slashing healthcare and other lifelines that millions of everyday Americans depend on. 

“Senator Durbin miscalculated back in March, when he could have stopped the president’s power grab,” said Elizabeth Grossman, Executive Director of Common Cause Illinois. “Six months later, Trump and his congressional allies have only gotten bolder — putting our lives at stake by gutting healthcare and critical services for working American families just to give his billionaire friends a tax cut. Will Senator Durbin fight back for the American people this time or roll over for President Trump’s corrupt, billionaire agenda?” 

Common Cause is calling for Congress to pass a budget that:  

• Protects Americans’ access to healthcare by extending the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire later this year, and reversing the cuts to Medicaid passed in July. 

• Creates real safeguards to prevent one president from holding our government hostage and axing government services that children, families, and seniors rely on.  

If President Trump continues to prioritize billionaire tax cuts over healthcare benefits, families could see their healthcare premiums rise by as much as $4,000 a year—hitting over 20 million Americans as prices are already on the rise. 

The government will shut down if the president and congressional republicans fail to pass a budget that puts the American people first by September 30.