Schakowsky Statement on Co-President Musk's Latest Power Grab
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) released the following statement on Elon Musk’s efforts to override congressional spending decisions and authority:
“Donald Trump’s decision to place unelected billionaire co-President Elon Musk in charge of millions of people’s private information – including personal health details and social security numbers – is an unconstitutional power grab that jeopardizes the livelihoods of all Americans and makes the world less safe. President Trump and Musk are using the chaos they are creating to rip away lifesaving programs from the American people so they can cut taxes for billionaires and corporations.
“The chaos, confusion, and fear caused by the Trump Administration is having real impacts.
“My office has received hundreds of calls from constituents who are concerned that Musk and his team have been empowered and given unrestricted access to Americans’ tax dollars.
“This morning, I met with the parents of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are worried that their child’s essential support for daily living, health care, and employment assistance will be stripped.
“Unconstitutional stoppages of US international aid will cost lives, strengthen our enemies, and collapse America’s influence abroad.
“This chaos is designed to enable President Trump and his ultra-wealthy Republican friends to do the only thing they really care about: cut taxes for billionaires and stick Americans with the bill.
“As Democrats have made clear, any Republican effort to steal taxpayer money from the American people, end Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid, strip away food aid, annihilate the ability of Congress to represent our constituents, or in any way attack the lifesaving programs that Americans rely on will be resisted at every turn.
“Right now, there are more than 20 different lawsuits challenging at least 11 executive orders. House Democrats are introducing legislation to prevent unlawful and unsecured access to Americans’ tax dollars. We will not stop fighting against these harmful violations of our laws, privacy, and our constitutional order.”
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