KBAK: Padilla opposes Trump-backed budget over entitlements, rips Central Valley Republicans
By William Silverstein
A contentious budget vote on Tuesday saw Republicans in the Central Valley align with President Donald Trump’s preferred budget, but California Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat, voiced strong opposition.
“When the president says they are not going to touch Social Security, when the president says they are not going to touch Medicare, he is lying,” said Padilla, expressing skepticism about the administration’s promises to protect government benefits such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
Padilla, reflecting concerns from Kern County constituents and Central Valley activist groups, warned that these programs might be at risk under the Trump administration and Republican-led Congress.
“It is clear that Medicare is on the chopping block. Social Security is on the chopping block. Medicaid is on the chopping block. Nutrition assistance is on the chopping block. Everything seems to be on the chopping block,” said Padilla. “My message to Republicans in Congress, both the Senate and the House, whether you are in a very safe Republican district or a swing district, it does not matter. You should be more loyal to your constituents than to Donald Trump and these attacks on our communities.”
In contrast, Representative David Valadao, a Republican from California’s 22nd Congressional District, argued that failing to pass the budget resolution could double the district’s tax burden. Valadao emphasized that the resolution does not mention Medicaid and that many Republicans oppose cuts to entitlements.
“Read the actual bill. No mention of Medicaid is in the actual bill. And a lot of us are opposed to any sort of cut,” said Valadao.
Representative Vince Fong, another Central Valley Republican, acknowledged the lack of specifics in the budget resolution but viewed it as an opportunity for Congress to implement money-saving reforms.
“The importance of this budget resolution is to give instructions to the committees to find savings, to make investments,” said Fong, who has advocated for budget transparency since his time in Sacramento.
Last week, the Trump administration directed the Department of Transportation to review funding for California’s high-speed rail project. Valadao urged Democrats to scrutinize the project’s efficiency.
“For anyone that wants to talk about being efficient and delivering for their taxpayers, this is their taxpayer money that is going into pay for this that should be going towards things like healthcare,” said Valadao.
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