Sen. Dick Durbin, others in Chicago push back on proposed federal budget cuts to Medicaid

CHICAGO (WLS) -- There's pushback on proposed federal budget cuts to Medicaid and other safety net programs.

Sen. Dick Durbin joined other representatives and advocates from Citizen Action at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago Monday morning.

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They talked about what's at stake if the cuts happen.

"Cutbacks in Medicaid jeopardize the future of our children, the future of our parents and grandparents in nursing homes and people who are struggling with mental illness," Durbin said. "For goodness' sake, why in the world would we do that in order to give a tax break to the wealthy?"

President Donald Trump has said that he would not cut Medicaid.

But, congressional Republicans have singled out Medicaid as a program that could be cut to provide savings.

Concerns about federal spending cuts brought together members of the Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation, who promised on this Presidents Day to do whatever they can to stand up against the Trump Administration.

With Republicans controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress, there is not a lot that Democrats can do, except for stand together and voice their concerns, and hope public opinion and pressure can cut down the cuts.

The White House and the Department of Government Efficiency are targeting for termination about 200,000 federal employees across various agencies, who have been on the job for less than a year.

Several hundred probationary employees at the Federal Aviation Administration got notices just weeks after the deadly plane and helicopter crash in the Potomac River.

SEE ALSO: Hundreds of FAA air traffic control staff fired just weeks after fatal DC plane crash

On Monday, 10 members of the Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation talked about how the cuts might hit home.

Local air travel is among those things that could be impacted by cuts at the FAA.

"So, when you're waiting on the tarmac, or you're waiting for delayed flights or things aren't nearly as efficient at O'Hare and Midway, it is because we don't have the staffing," said Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago.

The Great Lakes Region Environmental Protection Agency, which is expecting about a 10% cut to its 1,000-member workforce, is raising concerns about the impact it will have on its mission.

"Nobody voted for essential services to our communities to be cut off. Every single person needs to breathe clean air, drink clean water and have clean soil," said Loreen Targos, EPA scientist and executive vice president of the American Federation Of Government Employees Local 704.

Medical researchers are also sounding the alarm about the potentially harmful impact of cuts to the National Institute of Health, which funds studies at local universities and medical centers.

"We need to remember that diseases are purple, and medical research is purple. All Americans are susceptible to disease, and all of us benefit from the new treatments that come from the research supported by the NIH," said Dr. Scott Andre Oakes, vice dean of Clinical Science Research of Chicago.

Despite the concerns, the Trump administration shows no signs of slowing down.

"We want to downsize government but make it better," Trump said.

"So, when we talk about misaligned priorities, he has stuck a middle finger in the face of the American people, and is unacceptable," said Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville.

Democrats are looking to sway public opinion and a handful of Republicans in the House.

"Right now, we're taking a beating because it's all one way, but that could change. And it could change with just a few votes," Durbin said.