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Costa Assails House Budget Bill Passed by GOP. Why Did Valadao Miss Key Vote?
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 3 weeks ago on
April 10, 2025

Valley Congressman David Valadao, left, and Jim Costa weigh in on the the budget bill passed by Republicans on a party-line vote Thursday. (GV Wire Composite/Anthony W. Haddad)

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Democratic Congressman Jim Costa of Fresno says the budget bill passed by Republicans on a party-line vote Thursday is reckless and cruel.

“In less than 100 days, President Trump and Republicans have created economic chaos. Trump’s tariffs are driving up costs, crashing the stock market, and squeezing the pocketbooks of Americans,” Costa said in a statement.

“Now, Republicans are gutting Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical lifelines with the biggest cuts in history. I voted against this reckless budget resolution because turning our backs on America’s safety isn’t leadership, it’s cruelty. I won’t stop fighting back.”

H. Con. Res. 14 passed, 216-214, with two Republicans opposed. Three House members didn’t vote: David Valadao, R-Kings County, Robert F. Onder, R-Missouri, and Donald Norcross, D-New Jersey. Axios reported that Norcross is hospitalized in intensive care.

Victoria Spartz of Indiana and Thomas Massie of Kentucky were the Republicans who voted against the bill.

Valadao Supports Bill, But Misses Vote Because of ‘Family Matter’

Valadao issued this statement to GV Wire explaining why he missed such an important vote:

“Today, the House of Representatives passed the Senate amendment to the House budget resolution,” said Valadao. “I supported the budget resolution in February to move the process forward, and today’s passage will unlock the next step.

“Committees can now begin preparing a reconciliation bill that focuses on our priorities — reauthorizing tax policies to help drive down costs for Central Valley families, while protecting essential programs like Medicaid.

“While I was not present to vote today due to a personal family matter, my stance stays the same. I’ll only support a final reconciliation bill that strengthens Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical programs that our Valley families rely on. As the budget process moves forward, I’ll continue to advocate for the priorities of my constituents.”

A Look at the Budget Cuts in the Plan

Costa said that without big changes to the spending plan, the following will occur:

— Energy and Commerce Committee cuts of least $880 billion, which will lead to deep cuts to Medicaid. Such cuts would impact 456,532 Medicaid enrollees in Costa’s district and over 1.8 million enrollees in the San Joaquin Valley.

— Agriculture Committee cuts of at least $230 billion from nutrition assistance, which would cause over 131,000 people in Costa’s district to lose SNAP/food stamps.

— Oversight and Reform Committee cuts of at least $50 billion, which would endanger government employee retirement benefits and further cut the federal workforce.

— Education and Workforce Committee cuts of at least $330 billion targeting student loan programs, income-driven repayment, Pell grants, and school meals.

— Transportation and Infrastructure Committee claw-backs of $10 billion under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, preventing further investments in the San Joaquin Valley and California.

— The budget plan also instructs the House Ways and Means Committee to approve tax cuts of $4.5 trillion over 10 years, while raising the deficit.

The Yale Budget Lab found that the bottom 40% of Americans would see their costs go up and 70% of the benefits from the Republican budget would go to the richest 5%, Costa said.

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Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

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