WASHINGTON—Moments ago, the United States Senate passed its version of a plan to extend the tax break for billionaires and corporations with no hearings or public debate. Most if not all of the votes took place in the middle of the night. The following is a statement from Common Cause President and CEO Virginia Kase Solomón: 

“This deadly budget bill will mean millions of American families and children will lose their healthcare, so billionaires get a tax break. Hospitals will close, people won’t get the care that they need, and our loved ones’ lives will be at risk.  

“This shameful proposal came together behind closed doors, without a single hearing—an embarrassment for ‘the world’s greatest deliberative body.’ That’s because corporate special interests have captured our congressional leaders, attempting to buy their votes to do their bidding.  

“Congress now has a simple choice to make: will they pass a billionaire’s budget or the people’s budget? Over the next few months, Common Cause will continue our campaign to unite everyday Americans behind the People’s Budget, so this Congress knows we demand a budget that serves us, not their billionaire donors.”