Statement on H.R.1

Dear Community Members, 

As an organization that has been advocating for racial and gender equity since 1911, we at YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts are deeply disheartened by the passing of the One Beautiful Bill Act.

The bill deprioritizes the real, human needs of millions of people across the country and will disproportionately affect those in marginalized communities. It includes harmful anti-immigrant provisions, the defunding of planned parenthood and other community organizations, cuts to educational assistance, job training, nutrition, and healthcare, among dozens of other initiatives harmful to the American public. Low-income families, immigrants, people of color, women, queer and trans people, the disabled and chronically ill, veterans, rural communities, the elderly and children are at more risk than ever of losing vital resources and support. The bill deepens economic and systemic disparity and reinforces oppression of vulnerable populations. 

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program cover nearly 41.4 million adults and 37.4 million children. The Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) has nearly 41.7 million participants. Cuts to these programs and new, complicated eligibility requirements will have a severe and immediate impact on the women, children, and families that we serve every day. The consequences are not abstract or far away – in New Bedford, children will go to bed hungry, seniors will go without necessary prescriptions, families will skip meals to pay rent. 

The bill comes on the tail of illegal freezes to federal funding and further disinvestment in nonprofit service organizations like the YWCA. Community based organizations like ours are expected to fill the gap of government services. As that gap widens and federal support wanes, it becomes harder for people in our communities to access the services they need to survive. 

Despite this, YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts will continue doing the work we have always done. We are currently participating in planning collective action with YWCA USA and the 190 Local Associations across the country and will have information about how you can participate coming soon. In our 114 years as an organization, we’ve seen great victories and tremendous losses in the fight for progress. We have always remained steadfast in our mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Now is no different. We will continue to advocate for and serve the women, children, and families who are the backbone of our communities. We will continue to fight for the just and equitable future that all of us deserve.

In solidarity, 

YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts