Fact Check: House Republicans "shut down [the] whole place to avoid releasing the files" and that they "stayed up all night a few weeks ago to steal your healthcare and give billionaires tax breaks."

Fact Check: "House Republicans 'shut down [the] whole place to avoid releasing the files' and that they 'stayed up all night a few weeks ago to steal your healthcare and give billionaires tax breaks.'"

What We Know

The claim involves two main assertions: that House Republicans shut down the House to avoid a vote on releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein, and that they are enacting policies that would harm healthcare access while benefiting the wealthy.

1. House Shutdown and Epstein Files: Reports indicate that House Republicans did indeed call an early recess, which some sources attribute to a desire to avoid a vote on releasing Epstein-related files. For instance, The Fiscal Times noted that Republicans were reluctant to take a "perilous vote" on this issue, suggesting a strategic decision to avoid potential political fallout. Similarly, The Guardian confirmed that the House called an early summer recess, which aligns with the timing of the discussions about the Epstein files.

2. Healthcare Cuts and Tax Breaks: The Republican budget proposal has been criticized for making significant cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), while simultaneously providing substantial tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans. According to Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, the proposal would lead to the largest cuts to Medicaid in history, affecting millions of Americans. Additionally, the Penn Wharton Budget Model estimates that the wealthiest 0.1% would receive an average tax break of $389,280 under this plan. Rep. Scott Peters also echoed these concerns, stating that the Republican tax plan would cut healthcare for millions to fund tax cuts for the wealthy (source-2).

Analysis

The first part of the claim regarding the House shutdown appears to be substantiated by credible sources. The reports from both The Fiscal Times and The Guardian provide a clear context for the early recess, linking it to the contentious issue of the Epstein files. This suggests that the Republicans' decision was indeed politically motivated, although the term "shut down the whole place" may be somewhat hyperbolic, as it refers to a recess rather than a complete shutdown of government operations.

The second part of the claim regarding healthcare cuts and tax breaks is also supported by substantial evidence. The statements from Rep. Cleaver and Rep. Peters highlight the significant implications of the Republican budget proposal, which aims to cut essential services while benefiting the wealthy. The data from the Penn Wharton Budget Model and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) corroborate these assertions, indicating that millions could lose healthcare coverage as a result of these policies.

However, it is important to note that while the claims about healthcare cuts and tax breaks are largely accurate, the framing of "stealing your healthcare" could be seen as emotive language. It captures the sentiment of many critics but may not reflect the nuanced realities of legislative processes and budgetary decisions.

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. The assertion that House Republicans shut down the House to avoid releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein is supported by credible reports, indicating a politically motivated decision. Additionally, the claim that the Republican budget proposal would cut healthcare access while providing tax breaks to the wealthy is substantiated by multiple sources. However, the language used in the claim could be considered hyperbolic or emotive, which may detract from a purely factual representation of the events.

Sources

1. Rep. Cleaver Votes Against GOP Budget That Rips ...
2. Rep. Scott Peters Votes NO on Disastrous Republican Tax Plan
3. Congressional Record
4. House GOP Passes Largest Cuts to Medicaid, SNAP In ...
5. Republicans Shut Down the House Early to Avoid Epstein Vote
6. US House calls early summer recess to block voting on ...
7. House Republicans Advance Massive Tax Cuts for the Rich
8. Republicans ready for bruising battle ahead of government ...