OPINION: Talk of the Town

Working parents will be hurt by Republican bill

I am a retired public school counselor who has been following the Republican “Big Beautiful Bill.”

The House version required onerous documentation to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — food stamps — benefits from a working parent (at the current federal minimum wage of $7.25) of a child over 6 years old. The bill is now being returned to the House to reconcile with the Senate version.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration announced the withholding of congressionally-approved funds, including those for after-school programs, until further notice.

So let’s get this straight: A working parent who relies on food assistance may be required to leave a 7-year-old child home alone after school in order to feed the child in America.

Unbelievable.

Nancy Traylor

Albuquerque

Medicaid cuts will hurt small businesses

New Mexico small business owners are watching, waiting and worrying as Congress considers deep cuts to Medicaid. What some don’t realize is that the future of many small firms is linked to the availability of Medicaid. In fact, a recent analysis from Georgetown University and Small Business Majority found that one-third of Medicaid recipients nationwide have some connection to small businesses. This includes about 11 million children of parents who are self-employed or who work for small businesses.

Given the vital importance of Medicaid to hard-working small business owners, their employees and their families, it’s hard to imagine why anyone would even entertain the idea of cutting a program like Medicaid. But that’s exactly what’s happening in Washington, D.C.. Right now, some lawmakers are pushing to gut vital benefits so they can justify tax cuts for the wealthiest businesses and individuals. New Mexico small businesses should not be forced to pay for anyone else’s tax cuts, particularly if it means losing access to health care. Lawmakers should reject cuts to Medicaid and instead focus on legislation that helps small businesses grow and thrive.

Awesta Sarkash

Rio Rancho

Senator put state and party over country

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, will never get a profile in courage after her recent yes vote on the Trump “Big Beautiful Bill.” She put both her political party and her state interests over the interests of the country. And it appears it also violates her personal principles because she hopes the updated version will fail in the House of Representatives.

Lisa, you are a United States senator, not a district senator from “the district of Alaska.” You are responsible for the good of the entire nation, not just your state.

The bargain or carve-out you struck with your Republican leadership in the Senate is shameful, cowardly, selfish and counterproductive to our country. I can only hope that you re-think your position on this bill should you have another chance at it.

Steve Ponton

Tijeras