AFT President condemns GOP tax bill, calls it a betrayal of Americans

Republican Tax Bill Faces Criticism from AFT Leader

WASHINGTON—In a strong reaction to the recent passing of President Donald Trump's tax bill by Republican members of the House of Representatives, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), has expressed significant concerns regarding its potential impact on Americans.

"This cruel, callous, crippling bill will leave Americans sicker, hungrier and poorer," Weingarten stated. She criticized the bill as a major shift of wealth from ordinary citizens to the wealthiest individuals, contradicting claims by Trump and congressional Republicans that the bill would benefit working families.

Weingarten highlighted several detrimental effects of the legislation, including the removal of healthcare for 17 million people, reduction of food assistance for 22 million, closure of numerous hospitals, defunding of higher education, and loss of jobs. She also pointed out that immigrant communities could be adversely affected and warned of a significant increase in the national debt, all while providing tax breaks to the ultra-rich.

The bill also introduces a permanent school voucher system into the tax code, potentially diverting billions each year to private schools. According to Weingarten, this occurs despite many public schools remaining underfunded. The tax credit, which could cost taxpayers over $50 billion a year, is criticized for being nearly twice the federal expenditure on support for disadvantaged and disabled children.

Weingarten emphasized the importance of strengthening public schools, despite the challenges posed by federal vouchers. "Our job remains to strengthen public schools," she asserted, advocating for investment in safe and engaging educational environments that prepare students for diverse and interconnected futures.

She concluded by stating that the 1.8 million members of the AFT, alongside the U.S. labor movement, will take note of those who supported the bill, seemingly turning their backs on working families, healthcare, and public schools.

The AFT's membership includes a wide range of educators and professionals, such as pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, higher education faculty, government employees, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.