Republicans Falsely Claim Democrats Cut Medicare for EV Tax Credits

Republicans falsely claim Democratic senators cut Medicare for EV tax credits, targeting Senate races in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Montana.

Republicans claim Senate Democrats cut Medicare to fund EV subsidies. It isn’t true.

Republicans Claim Medicare Cuts for EV Tax Credits: A Closer Look

Republicans have asserted that Democratic senators voted to slash Medicare funding to finance tax credits for electric vehicles. These claims, however, are founded on misleading interpretations of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Such allegations have been prominent in key Senate races in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Montana—states pivotal in determining congressional control this year.

The Inflation Reduction Act: Key Objectives and Provisions

In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act was passed by both the House and Senate without any Republican support. The legislation aims to reduce the federal deficit, promote clean energy, and lower prescription drug prices. A significant aspect of the act is empowering Medicare to negotiate reduced drug costs for its beneficiaries.

Wisconsin: Tammy Baldwin Targeted

In Wisconsin, a television ad accuses Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin of voting to reallocate Medicare funds towards electric vehicle subsidies instead of aiding seniors. This ad is sponsored by Restoration PAC, a far-right organization established by conservative billionaire Richard Uihlein.

The ad distorts the financial mechanisms of the Inflation Reduction Act’s green energy initiatives. By enabling Medicare to negotiate drug prices, the government reduces healthcare administration costs, thus freeing up resources for the tax credits. Additional funds come from new taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals like Uihlein.

Fact-checkers from CNN, Washington Post, FactCheck.org, and AARP have all confirmed that the Inflation Reduction Act did not cut funds from Medicare or Social Security.

Ohio: Sherrod Brown Under Fire

In Ohio, Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno echoed similar claims against his opponent, incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, during an Aug. 9 interview with Fox News.

“They have absolutely gutted Medicare to pay for these EV mandates,” Moreno stated. “They want solar panels on prime farmland. They are completely out of step with Midwest values. And again, Sherrod Brown can run and try to hide from it, but the reality is, Ohio knows that he is absolutely not in sync with what our voters want.”

During the same interview, Moreno falsely claimed that Brown voted to extend Social Security and Medicare benefits to undocumented immigrants. Federal law explicitly prohibits undocumented individuals from accessing these benefits.

A request for comment from Moreno’s spokesperson went unanswered.

Montana: Jon Tester in the Spotlight

The false narrative also surfaces in Montana’s Senate race, where Republican candidate Tim Sheehy, in coordination with the National Republican Senatorial Committee, released an ad alleging that Democratic Sen. Jon Tester supported reallocating Medicare funds to electric vehicle subsidies instead of aiding seniors.

Ironically, the claim is undermined by Sheehy’s own stance on Medicare. A report from Semafor in August 2023 revealed that Sheehy advocated for a return to total privatization of healthcare, which would effectively eliminate Medicare and Medicaid.

Sheehy has also received endorsements from Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group that favors cutting Social Security.

Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act

According to the White House, approximately 3.4 million Americans have benefited directly from the green energy subsidies provided by the Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, millions of seniors, people with disabilities, and other Medicare beneficiaries are expected to gain from the act’s provisions to lower prescription drug costs.


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