IFPTE Executive Officers Released a Statement on the House of Representatives’ s Vote on the Republican Funding Bill

Washington, DC — This morning, Congressional Republicans were barely able to scrape together enough votes from their own party to pass their bill that contains the broad policy agenda of their own president.  This political win for a handful of out-of-touch Washington insiders represents a devastating loss for American families living paycheck to paycheck.  Make no mistake, this big, ugly bill will not only deny tens of millions of Americans healthcare and food assistance, but it will also starve states of critically needed federal resources, leading to the shuttering of hospitals nationwide.  It will also almost immediately eliminate hundreds of thousands of quality jobs, particularly in the public sector and emerging healthcare service industry. 

Just hours before they voted for it, a group of House Republicans released a three-page takedown of the Senate-passed bill.  We disagree with the principles behind their opposition to the legislation, but we wholeheartedly endorse many of the words they used to describe it: a “swampy” bill that relies on an accounting “gimmick” and is “loaded with pork to buy Senate votes.”  We also agree with the words Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries used to sum up the bill during his impassioned and lengthy speech against it: “unacceptable, unconscionable, and un-American.” 

We thank every Democrat in the House and Senate for opposing this bill at every opportunity, from its inception, through an extensive amendment process, and up to today’s fateful vote.  We also commend Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, the only member of his party in either chamber who used his vote whenever he could to stop this legislation from passing.  He put principle over party and his oath of office over his own self-interest. 

There are many reasons that individual members of Congress opposed this bill, but there is one reason why today's vote was so close: the American people spoke.  Thousands of IFPTE members joined millions of other union members, healthcare advocates, nutrition advocates, public employees, and just plain old working families in calling out this bill for the shameful sham that it is.   

We are inspired and humbled by the courage of our members, particularly those who have chosen a life of service in the federal sector.  They are fighting for our democracy every day, whether it's by contacting their members of Congress, protesting in the streets, or simply doing their jobs and quietly serving the American people.  As a union and a Labor Movement, we begin this Independence Day weekend with a renewed commitment to their cause and resolve to continue the fight for our shared principles. 

###

For Immediate Release                                          
July 3, 2025                                                                                             
Contact: Candace Rhett
202/239-4880