Evans: “Colorado has the funds to sustain Medicaid”

DISTRICT 8 | Representative Gabe Evans. (Photo/El Comercio de Colorado)

THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN DEFENDS TRUMP’S FISCAL PLAN

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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After six months in Congress, Colorado District 8 Representative Gabe Evans says he already has tangible results to show. In an interview with El Comercio de Colorado, Evans highlighted that he has introduced eleven bills during this period. But, according to him, his biggest achievement has been supporting and helping to pass the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” the new tax plan promoted by the Trump administration—an initiative that, in his words, “makes life more affordable for everyone.”

“This legislation eliminates taxes on tips and overtime, reduces tax burdens for retirees, and provides relief for small businesses,” Evans stated. However, this measure has drawn criticism for its potential impact on social programs like Medicaid and SNAP. The congressman claims such criticism is overblown. “There are claims that Colorado will need to find a billion dollars to continue serving those currently on Medicaid,” he said, but insists the state has enough resources.

Fixing Inefficiency and Waste

“The state budget has increased by $15 billion over the last seven years, while the population has grown by only 5%. The money is there. What’s lacking is efficiency and control over waste,” Evans stated. To support his claim, he mentioned a specific case: “A few months ago, we saw a headline that said $7 million in benefits had been paid to people who were already deceased. That is unacceptable.” He also pointed out issues with the SNAP program.

“Under Governor Hickenlooper, the error rate was below 6%. Now, under the current administration, it’s at 10%. That means one in every ten dollars is being wasted, either due to fraud or poor program management. The new legislation is very clear: if the state doesn’t correct this error margin, it will have to cover the difference with its own funds,” Evans explained.

Supporting the Dignity Act

Evans also confirmed his support for the Dignity Act, a bipartisan immigration reform proposal introduced by Congresswomen María Elvira Salazar (R-Florida) and Verónica Escobar (D-Texas). “The immigration system is broken. We’ve already secured the border. Now it’s time to offer a path for undocumented workers who have been here since before 2021, have no criminal record, and do not rely on public assistance,” he said.

A U.S. Army veteran and former police officer, Evans also addressed criticism of his stance on cooperation between local and federal agencies such as ICE. He acknowledged the sensitivity of the topic but defended his position: “Gangs and organized crime use fear of the immigration system as a tool to control people. That needs to be addressed.”

His Grandfather’s Legacy

Evans shared a personal story to illustrate his views on immigration. He spoke of his maternal grandfather, a Mexican immigrant who obtained U.S. citizenship after serving in the Army during World War II. “He didn’t speak English and had no formal education. But he went to war, served this country, and became a citizen. That’s the kind of story we should tell more often.”

Evans: “Colorado has the funds to sustain Medicaid”

Evans: “Colorado has the funds to sustain Medicaid”

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