Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Trump’s $20 Billion Bailout To Argentina Amid A Government Shutdown And Healthcare Crisis Here At Home

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor condemning the Trump administration’s decision to approve a $20 billion bailout for Argentina during a government shutdown, calling it a “slap in the face” to American families struggling with healthcare costs and farmers suffering from the administration’s failed trade policies. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

If Americans want to know just how little Donald Trump seems cares about their healthcare, look at what he is doing today in the Oval Office.

As we speak, the Trump administration is approving $20 billion in taxpayer dollars to bail out Argentina, in the middle of a shutdown.

I have just one question: if this administration has $20 billion to spare for a MAGA friendly foreign government, how can they say we don’t have the money lower healthcare costs here at home?

The overwhelming majority of Americans say we need help with our healthcare, and they're busy spending $20 billion because Trump seems to really like the leader of Argentina. They're both sort of MAGA types.

The administration is giving this money away to help Argentina’s hard right president in their election, where his party is in serious trouble. It is a bailout. It is nonsensical.

And at the same time, the American people are frightened, scared, worried about losing their healthcare. It makes no sense to give money to Argentina and then say we don't have enough money to help Americans with healthcare. It is so against what Americans want. I'm sure if we had a vote here in this country, it would be 99-1, almost, that the money belongs here. That's what we should be focused on.

Meanwhile, farmers across America are looking at this Argentina bailout and wondering whose side this administration is on. It’s been a devastating year for our soybean farmers because this administration has bungled trade talks with Beijing and, as a consequence, they’ve killed our soybean exports to that country.

Now, China is looking precisely to Argentina to cut new soybean deals while farmers here at home suffer back-breaking losses. And on top of all that, you mean to tell me the administration is fine sending $20 billion of taxpayer dollars to help foreign farmers compete against American farmers here at home? In the middle of a shutdown?

It’s insane. Utterly insane. This Argentina bailout is a slap in the face of farmers and working families worried about keeping healthcare.

So, I’ll say it again: if this administration has $20 billion to spare for a MAGA friendly foreign government, they cannot turn around and say we don’t have the money lower healthcare costs here at home.

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