Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C . – Today, Somos Votantes and Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF) held a virtual press briefing in Spanish ahead of the release of the latest Consumer Confidence numbers and almost a month after Trump’s big ugly bill was signed into law. The briefing centered around the negative economic and political impacts of Trump's newly signed reconciliation bill on Latino communities. They were also joined by UnidosUS, and the Arkansas Movement Collective. Together, they analyzed several critical aspects of Trump's tax and spending bill and the damage it causes to Latino workers and families. 

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Somos Votantes examined the political impacts of Trump's massive cuts to essential food programs like SNAP and health care programs like Medicaid among hardworking Latinos, and addressed the growing economic pessimism and negative impressions of the Trump administration's policies revealed in their most recent poll. ATF also re-released a series of updated reports revealing the impact of Trump's bill on workers in Latino-dominated industries and the positive contributions undocumented immigrants make to the economy. To view a recording of the event, please click here. ‍

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"Our latest polling highlights the growing frustration Latino voters are experiencing with Trump's economic agenda and massive tax giveaway to the ultra wealthy," said Melissa Morales, Founder and President of Somos Votantes. "Hardworking families wanted a government focused on lowering costs and putting money back in their pockets and instead they're getting higher healthcare costs and cuts to programs they've earned and paid into while billionaires get trillion-dollar handouts. It's no wonder our polling shows Trump's economic approval among Latinos has progressively eroded every single day he is in office."

"As the dust settles after passage and the disastrous impacts of these cuts start to impact folks, one thing will become clear: Congressional Republicans and the Trump administration delivered tax benefits to billionaires and corporations at the expense of average Americans," said ATF executive director David Kass. "Trump's Big Ugly Bill transfers wealth from the working class to the top 1%, cuts Medicaid and SNAP while adding $3 trillion to the debt, and complicates the tax code with special interest breaks. Latino workers and families in critical industries — construction, agriculture, transportation, and other sectors — will see their costs soar and their Medicaid and food assistance slashed, while CEOs and billionaires profiting from their labor receive trillions in tax breaks. We need a fair tax system and an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy."

"We are seeing a perfect storm that will devastate the economic stability of Latino families," said Lisette Orellana Engel, Director of the Economic Policy Project at UnidosUS. "This budget reconciliation bill betrays the promises made to working families. At a time when Latino families are already struggling with housing costs, inflation, and economic uncertainty, this legislation deliberately transfers resources from those who need them most to those who need them least."

“The "Big Beautiful Bill" will financially destabilize small rural hospitals serving Arkansas's Latino population, reduce Medicaid coverage and access for children and families, and exacerbate health disparities in our communities,” said Rosa Velázquez, Executive Director of The Arkansas Movement Collective. “This law provides billions of dollars to harmful and dangerous enforcement agencies like ICE and not where it is most needed in our communities.”

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About Somos Votantes

Somos Votantes is a Latino-led, Latino-focused organization that runs some of the largest independent Latino civic and voter engagement programs in the country. We envision a nation where hardworking Latinos have the opportunities and tools to fully participate in our democracy. Somos Votantes seeks to empower hardworking Latinos in shaping the future of our democracy, primarily through non-partisan civic engagement programs, by increasing our participation in elections and advocating for progressive policies.
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Visit https://www.somosvotantes.com/ for more information on this program and other projects, and follow the organization on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

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About Americans for Tax Fairness

Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF) is a diverse coalition of more than 420 national, state, and local endorsing organizations united in support of a fair tax system that raises revenue from the wealthy and big corporations to support investments that build our economy for all.

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