As thousands of Central Valley families prepare for the potential loss of health and food benefits, Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) is publicly condemning California’s Republican congressional delegation for voting in favor of a federal budget bill she says betrays their constituents.
On May 22, Bains introduced a formal resolution to censure the nine California GOP representatives who supported President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The legislation slashes funding for Medicaid (known as Medi-Cal in California), Medicare, Social Security, and food assistance programs like CalFresh. If enacted, the cuts could cost California up to $30 billion each year and eliminate healthcare coverage for an estimated 3.4 million residents, including 400,000 in the Central Valley.
“We send representatives to Washington DC to fight for California,” Bains said in a statement. “Instead of standing up for us, our Republican delegation sold us out. No state in the nation is harmed more by Trump’s Big Ugly Lie. The Negligent Nine betrayed California, putting loyalty to Trump and their political party above the 40 million residents of the greatest state in the union.”
Among those nine representatives is David Valadao (CA-22), whose vote contradicts his earlier promises to protect Medicaid access. A May 23 Kern Sol News article documented the disappointment of local advocates and healthcare workers, who warned the cuts could worsen health disparities in rural areas already grappling with limited access to care.
Bains, who runs a medical clinic in Delano, said the fear among patients is already visible.
“My health clinic has been overwhelmed with appointment requests ever since my patients heard these cuts were coming,” she said. “We’re going to see higher co-pays, longer ER waits, hospital closures, and increased nursing home expenses. All the while, President Trump’s billionaire friends get to buy an extra yacht.”
Community backlash has erupted across the Central Valley. Grassroots groups and residents have held rallies and spoken out against the bill’s impact on working-class families, immigrants, and seniors.
The censure resolution (AJR 13) names all nine California Republicans who voted for the bill, including Representatives Vince Fong (CA-20), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), and Kevin Kiley (CA-3). While largely symbolic, a legislative censure serves as a formal reprimand—a public declaration that a lawmaker’s actions are unethical, harmful, or deserving of condemnation. The resolution aims to hold the “Negligent Nine” accountable and signal to voters that their support for the bill endangers vulnerable Californians.
Critics say the bill not only strips safety net protections but also raises taxes on the poorest 10% of Americans while delivering major tax breaks to the wealthy. Nonpartisan analysts estimate the legislation would add $4 trillion to the national deficit.
Bains’ resolution now heads to the California Legislature, where it will be reviewed in the coming weeks.
