Rep. Terri Sewell Rejects GOP Spending Bill, Citing Threats to Health Care and Alabama Families

September 19, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a pointed rebuke of House Republicans' latest budget proposal, U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (D-AL-07) voted against what she described as a "partisan spending bill" that prioritizes tax breaks for the wealthy over essential services for working families. Her vote underscores growing Democratic opposition to President Donald Trump's fiscal agenda, which critics say jeopardizes health care access and economic stability for millions of Americans-including thousands of Alabamians.

"Despite controlling the House, Senate, and White House, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have once again failed to do their job and fund the government," Sewell said in a statement released shortly after the vote. "The American people deserve better."

The bill, dubbed the "Big Ugly" by critics and allies alike, has drawn fire for its sweeping cuts to health care programs, including Medicaid and subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. According to Sewell, the legislation would "rip away health care from millions of Americans in order to give tax breaks to billionaires," a trade-off she called unconscionable.

What's in the Bill?

The Republican-backed spending package includes provisions that would:

• Slash funding for Medicaid expansion, disproportionately affecting low-income and rural communities.

• Reduce support for veterans' health services and employment training programs.

• Eliminate certain disaster relief allocations, including those tied to FEMA and agricultural recovery.

• Extend tax cuts for high-income earners and large corporations, building on the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

While GOP leaders argue the bill is necessary to rein in federal spending and stimulate economic growth, Democrats say it reflects misplaced priorities-especially at a time when many Americans are still recovering from inflationary pressures, climate disasters, and health care disruptions.

Alabama Impacts

For Alabama, the stakes are particularly high. Sewell's district includes parts of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and the Black Belt-regions where access to affordable health care remains a persistent challenge. According to the Alabama Hospital Association, nearly half of the state's rural hospitals operate at a loss, and Medicaid expansion remains a contentious issue in Montgomery.

"This bill would devastate communities across Alabama," Sewell said. "It threatens the health care safety net that so many families rely on, especially in underserved areas. I will not rubber-stamp their assault on our health care system."

The legislation also proposes cuts to education and workforce development programs, which could hinder efforts to retrain workers in transitioning industries like agriculture, aquaculture, and manufacturing-sectors critical to Alabama's economic future.

A Call for Bipartisanship

Sewell's vote aligns with broader Democratic efforts to push for a bipartisan budget that preserves essential services while addressing long-term fiscal concerns. She urged Republicans to "keep the government open and work with Democrats to lower costs and protect the health care of the American people."

The timing of the vote is significant. With the federal government facing a potential shutdown, lawmakers are under pressure to reach a compromise before key funding deadlines. A shutdown would affect federal workers, military personnel, and recipients of government aid programs-many of whom reside in Alabama.

Political Context

The spending bill is part of a larger budget battle unfolding in Washington, where President Trump and Congressional Republicans are seeking to consolidate fiscal policy ahead of the 2026 midterms. Critics say the bill is designed more to appease conservative donors than to address the needs of everyday Americans.

"This is not governance-it's grandstanding," said one Democratic aide familiar with the negotiations. "They're using the budget process to score political points instead of solving real problems."

Sewell, who has served in Congress since 2011, is one of Alabama's most senior Democratic lawmakers and a member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Her vote carries weight not only in Washington but also among constituents who have come to rely on her advocacy for health care, voting rights, and economic development.

Looking Ahead

With the bill now headed to the Senate, its future remains uncertain. Moderate Republicans and Democrats are expected to propose amendments that restore funding to key programs, but the path to a bipartisan resolution is narrow.

In the meantime, Sewell says she will continue fighting for Alabama families.

"I'm here to represent the people of Alabama-not the billionaires," she said. "We need a budget that reflects our values: health care, education, opportunity, and dignity for all."

As the debate continues, Alabamians are watching closely. From hospital administrators in Selma to veterans in Tuscaloosa, the outcome of this budget battle could shape the state's future for years to come.