NEW HARTFORD  — A group of area residents are concerned about Rep. Brandon Williams’ R-22, Sennett, support for H.R. 2811, also known as the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, which increases the federal debt limit and cuts discretionary spending. 

The bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives on April 26, increases the federal debt limit to $10.5 trillion and decreases the federal government’s discretionary spending by 22% for the next 10 years. 

On May 24, Indivisible Mohawk Valley organized a rally outside Consumer Square in New Hartford for residents to show their opposition to the bill, claiming that these cuts will impact veterans’ services, care for children with disabilities, education and other programs. 

About 25 people attended the rally, holding signs like, “Honk if you’re pissed at MAGA,” “We disagree with Brandon Williams,” “Brandon Williams’ votes hurt CNY families” and more. 

“Brandon Williams is not listening to us,” Diane Berry of Utica said. “When you cut everything, 22% across the board, you cut everything. Except the military. That’s the only thing they’re not cutting. But the veterans’ services are not in the military budget. It’s a separate budget and it’s the part they want to cut 22% of.” 

Williams has pushed back on the claims that the bill will impact the Veterans Administration (VA), pledging to protect veterans services, and saying that veteran spending is mandatory spending and the bill proposes cuts to discretionary spending. 

The VA budget includes both mandatory and discretionary spending. In the fiscal year 2024 budget, the discretionary spending funds are designated for health care, benefits and national cemeteries.

House Republicans have claimed that they will exempt veterans services from the cuts. The bill in its current state does not explicitly state which discretionary spending programs will be protected and which will be cut. This would be determined later, during the appropriations process, if the bill manages to become a law.

“Rep. Williams voted for the Limit, Save, Grow Act which will reduce the federal deficit by $4.8 trillion and PROTECTS veterans and seniors. A better question would be for those who are trying to disrupt, where are they getting their inaccurate information from? These are lies and talking points from the Progressive-left that have no basis in reality or common sense,” said Taylor Weyeneth, communications director for Rep. Brandon Williams.

“The Limit, Save, Grow Act returns our federal spending levels to that of Fiscal Year 2022, which were passed by a Democrat White House, Democrat House, and Democrat Senate. We encourage the disruptors to do their research, because they are telling on themselves in this debate," Weyeneth added.