Sen. Slotkin's Weekly Intel Briefing

Senator Slotkin Details Washington Impacts: Tariffs, Budget Cuts, and Rule of Law Concerns

In a recent weekly briefing, Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan addressed key issues in Washington D.C. that she believes will have a direct impact on the lives of Michiganders and Americans across the country. Focusing on economic matters, pending legislation, and a significant democracy concern, the Senator aimed to provide clarity on complex federal developments.

Senator Slotkin expressed concern over economic indicators that she described as "going in the wrong direction," noting rising unemployment rates and decreasing GDP. She specifically linked these trends to the impact of tariffs, an issue she stated Michigan, with its heavy reliance on manufacturing and farming, will be among the most affected states.

Slotkin cited a 10% tariff on all foreign goods and a 25% tariff on foreign cars entering the U.S.. While some recent deal-making occurred within the auto industry, she expects car prices and parts costs to likely increase. Michigan's deeply integrated supply chain with Canada and Mexico makes it particularly vulnerable to these trade actions. The Senator noted that more tariffs are expected, with a decision potentially coming in July.

A major legislative focus was the impending Trump administration reconciliation bill, described as the "big signature piece of legislation". While the full text is not yet public, budget guidance passed by House and Senate Republicans suggests significant cuts to reach six trillion dollars in reductions.

Senator Slotkin warned that achieving these cuts is likely impossible "without significant cuts to Medicaid". She detailed the broad impact on Michigan, where 2.8 million out of 10 million residents use Medicaid. Medicaid funding is crucial for rural hospitals, covers approximately 65% of residents in nursing homes, supports roughly 85% of the work done by the state's mental health infrastructure, provides home visitor coverage for aging or disabled individuals, and even provides aid to school districts for students with disabilities, mental health challenges, and health issues.

Potential cuts also loom for Medicare Part D (prescription drugs), Social Security offices, and food assistance programs. Slotkin stressed the importance of understanding the bill's text, noting that Michigan's state budget relies 48% on federal dollars, making it highly susceptible to federal cuts.

Finally, Senator Slotkin highlighted a critical issue concerning democracy and the rule of law: the Trump administration's reported continued refusal to comply with a unanimous Supreme Court order. This order, issued by Chief Justice John Roberts, involves an immigrant who was quickly removed from the U.S. to El Salvador despite the Supreme Court's decision that he is entitled to due process. Slotkin noted that the administration was in its third week of allegedly ignoring this order. She argued that if an administration can ignore a court order from the nation's highest court, it should cause alarm for everyone, regardless of immigration status.

Senator Slotkin urged Michiganders to keep these three issues on their radar, particularly anticipating the release of the reconciliation bill's text, which will have significant consequences for the state.