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Democratic Leader Schumer’s Joint Session Guests Will Be New Yorkers That Highlight The Devastating Human Cost Of Trump’s Chaotic And Cruel Agenda, Including Fired Veterans And Medicaid Recipients

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today announced five New Yorkers as his guests for President Trump’s Joint Address. His guests showcase the human cost of President Trump’s cruel agenda, highlighting the devastating federal workforce reduction, necessity of Medicaid, and benefits of life-saving medical research that DOGE is slashing.

“Rather than focusing on American families and kitchen table issues, President Trump’s first month in office has focused on tax cuts for billionaires, paid for by the very people he promised to help,” said Leader Schumer. “The New Yorkers that will accompany me to the Joint Session show the real and devastating human impact of Trump’s cruel and shortsighted policies and the destructive cuts. The slash-and-burn approach that Trump and DOGE have taken has already disrupted so many lives, and does nothing to bring down the rising prices across the country. In just a few short weeks, Americans have had their healthcare threatened, veterans and folks doing vital work — from lifesaving research to landing planes — have had jobs ripped away, all to free up space in the budget for tax breaks for billionaires. Trump — and the country — must hear these heartbreaking stories to understand the human toll of these cuts. I look forward to welcoming these New Yorkers to the Capitol; and fighting for these injustices to be undone and for focus to be where it belongs: on delivering for American families, not billionaires.” 

Leader Schumer’s Joint Address Guests:

Emma Larson – Received a lifesaving treatment for her Spinal Muscular Atrophy Due to NIH Reimbursement  

  • Emma was born on Long Island and diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) when she was one and a half years old. When diagnosed, there was no known treatment or cure, and SMA was known as one of the most deadliest genetic diseases for a child.
  • Emma’s parents, Matt and Dianne, found out that a Scientist, Dr. Adrian Krainer, was working on a treatment for SMA at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, located in Cold Spring, New York. Emma’s parents immediately reached out to the lab. At the age of two, Emma was enrolled in a trial for the drug that Dr. Krainer was developing, known as Spinraza. 
  • The Spinraza trial had amazing results and was eventually approved in 2016. Now because of effective screenings and Spinraza treatment, pre-symptomatic babies are walking, eating and breathing on their own - completely changing the prognosis for SMA. 
  • The Spinraza miracle drug laid the groundwork for future breakthroughs, and was researched right on Long Island by Dr. Krainer, at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The lab receives tens of millions in NIH indirect reimbursements, which cover much overhead costs — including the microscopy lab where much of Spinraza, its spinoff research, and more, are worked on.
  • Emma is now 12 years old. She attends Great Hollow Middle School in Smithtown, New York. Emma has a 4.4 GPA , is learning Mandarin, studies computer coding and loves to read.

Alissa Ellman – Disabled Army veteran; Fired from her job at the Buffalo VA helping fellow veterans obtain their benefits

  • Alissa lives in Lockport, NY and is an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, who in 2018 was diagnosed with a rare cancer associated with toxic burn pit exposure during her service.
  • Alissa, who has 100% disability from the VA, wanted to continue working and a federal job allowed her to do that while continuing to receive treatment. Last year, she started working for the Buffalo VA helping fellow veterans obtain their hard earned and deserved benefits for themselves and their families.
  • Last week, Alissa was locked out of her computer without explanation, and later she found out she had been terminated by DOGE. She says she routinely exceeded the daily production average and the confusion and lack of communication throughout this process has been disrespectful, and she is fighting for better treatment of veterans.
  • Under new DOGE directive and President Trump, thousands of federal workers, ~30% of which are veterans, have been fired in the past month, including 2,400 VA employees, like Alissa, putting the care of our nation’s veterans at risk.

Tiffany Ramos – USDA worker; Fired from her position where she helped farmers and businesses through the rural development office

  • Tiffany comes from a rural community in Upstate NY and has worked her whole life to give back. She studied Agriculture Business Development at SUNY Morrisville and started her career at the USDA in 2021.
  • She worked at the USDA’s Farm Service Agency’s Rural Development Office in Syracuse helping farms and rural businesses get the financial support they needed.
  • Despite her years of service, she was blindsided by an email earlier this month saying she was terminated after her job was deemed not “in the public interest.” 

Jessica Martinez – Medicaid Recipient

  • Jessica from Peekskill, NY, is cancer survivor who lives with multiple sclerosis and needs Medicaid to afford all of her medication so that she can live independently and take care of her family.
  • After House Republicans passed the first step in their plan to enact the biggest cut to Medicaid in history last week, she became fearful of how coverage for people like her on the frontlines could be impacted. She wants to share her story to show how cuts to Medicaid would be devastating to families across America. 

Ana Medina Garcia – Medicaid Recipient and Home Healthcare Worker

  • Ana is grateful to receive Medicaid benefits for and her daughter Vada. As a cancer survivor, Medicaid provides peace of mind that if the cancer comes back or a crisis strikes, Ana will be able to receive treatment. Ana is worried that the proposed Medicaid cuts will take away her healthcare.
  • Ana works as a home healthcare worker taking care of seniors. Most of the people Ana takes care of rely on Medicaid to pay for their care. The proposed Medicaid cuts would devastate the entire home healthcare system. Ana fears she would be left without a job and the seniors she provides care for left without the assistance they need to live full lives.  

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