**Meet Zabdiel Martinez**, a passionate economic support specialist and devoted AFSCME member from Wisconsin. With a heavy heart but an unwavering determination, he stands at the frontline of a critical battle for the families in his community.
Standing Up for Families in Need
Zabdiel plays a pivotal role in **connecting individuals in Dane County** with essential food assistance and Medicaid services. Recently, he traveled to **Washington D.C.** to advocate against an alarming budget bill pushed by anti-union extremists.
During his time on Capitol Hill, Zabdiel passionately urged House members to **reject** this cruel proposal that would strangle food assistance programs, Medicaid benefits, and public services. **Why?** To funnel massive tax breaks to billionaires at the expense of the community he holds dear.
The Faces Behind the Numbers
As Zabdiel spoke on behalf of his community, he visualized the faces of those he helps daily through the **Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)**. He thought of:
- The single mother struggling to stretch her paycheck.
- The working families who face anxiety each dinner time, worrying about feeding their kids.
- The laid-off workers, desperately seeking help to regain their footing.
- The elderly who have to make gut-wrenching choices between groceries and medicines.
A Crushing Blow to the Community
When the House of Representatives narrowly approved the bill by just one vote, Zabdiel was devastated.
Nonetheless, he remains resolute, focusing his energy on the **Senate**, the next battleground for this budget bill.
“**We must make our voices heard!** Our senators need to understand these cuts jeopardize the livelihoods of working families to appease billionaires,” Zabdiel asserts.
The Budget’s Detrimental Impact
The budget bill poses a harrowing threat, aiming to slash nearly **$300 billion from SNAP**, forcibly shifting the financial burden to the states. The implications? Millions of families will find their food assistance at severe risk as states struggle with these crippling cuts.
Discover how the proposed cuts to SNAP may impact communities across your state.
Zabdiel finds it **mind-boggling** that while working families face potential hunger, billionaires, like Elon Musk, continue acquiring luxury assets—**a narrative that begs for change**.
A Heartbreaking Reality
“When the House passed this bill, it shattered my heart. **What about those struggling just to survive?** You’re dismantling food security for the vulnerable. I see their faces; I hear their stories. It breaks me every time,” Zabdiel shares.
The Consequences of Inaction
AFSCME President **Lee Saunders** warns that this budget bill, if enacted, would:
- Cancel food assistance for nearly 3.5 million individuals, among them countless children.
- Displace over 13 million people from health coverage.
- Force closures of hospitals, nursing facilities, clinics, and veterans’ homes, leading to staff layoffs.
- Trigger job losses across healthcare, education, and other sectors.
- Devastate local economies.
- Induce significant cuts to Medicare.
“Time and time again, it is the working people who bear the consequences, while anti-union lawmakers boost their billionaire allies. However, this battle is far from over. We will keep up the pressure to ensure every senator knows what’s at stake,” Saunders emphasizes.
Join the Fight for Justice
You too can play an integral role in fighting these detrimental cuts in the Senate. **It’s time to take action.**
Let’s **Get Organized**! Attend a union meeting, rally your coworkers, and unite in opposition to these attacks on public services. The larger our coalition, the greater our power to advocate for the rights of working families who deserve the chance not just to survive, but to **thrive**.
