The Mississippi House Democratic Caucus has been shut out of discussions over consequential bills as the agenda of their Republican colleagues has been shaped by President Donald Trump, Democratic lawmakers said at a Tuesday press conference.

House Republicans hold a supermajority and have scuttled the priorities of Democrats with little input from the minority party, said Rep. Robert Johnson, the House Democratic Leader.

“Nobody has talked to us. Nobody wants to hear what we have to say about it,” Johnson said. “We represent 40%-50% of the state of Mississippi, Democrats do. And nobody has said a word about how this will impact your community (and) what can we do to help,” Johnson said of the tax cut proposals moving through the Legislature.

Republican House Speaker Jason White has said his chamber allows ample debate on the House floor, where Democrats can propose amendments to legislation and raise concerns. Legislative Republicans have also said their agenda this session will attract corporate investment to the state, create jobs and make the state’s universities more meritocratic.

At the Capitol on Tuesday, a group of House Democrats outlined several legislative proposals they say have been either shaped without their input or inspired by President Trump.

Tax reform

Johnson said tax cuts proposed in both chambers would drain Mississippi’s budget and undermine public services.

“This state suffers severely in so many areas. We don’t pay our public safety people enough money or give them enough money for training. Our infrastructure is in dire need of repair. Our health care system is strained and collapsing,” Johnson said. “And then we’re going to come back and talk about cutting $2 billion in one bill and $1 billion in another bill out of our budget where we’re not taking care of the things we need to take care of right now.”

Failure to expand Medicaid and looming cuts

Rep. Omeria Scott said the refusal of Mississippi Republicans to expand Medicaid coverage threatens the health care of Mississippians, especially as Congressional Republicans prepare to take up a reconciliation proposal that could result in massive cuts to the Medicaid program.

“In Mississippi, where we are the poorest and the sickest of Americans, health care ought to be at the height of our concern. But as you know, Mississippi has refused to expand the Medicaid program. You know what Mississippians ought to be really afraid of? The reconciliation bill they’re taking up,” Scott said. “If they are talking about cutting $880 billion out of the budget, Mississippi is going to be on its knees. Some of y’all may want that, I don’t know. But that’s where we’re going.”

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Bans

Rep. Jeffrey Harness said House and Senate proposals to ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs are an attack on minorities in the state with the nation’s highest percentage of Black residents.

“It is an attack on fairness, truth and on the values that bind us together,” Harness said “When our Republican colleagues claim they want a better Mississippi, the question remains: for whom? Their proposed bans on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in our educational institutions tell us the answer loud and clear: it is not for the majority of Mississippians.”

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