2026 Legislative Agenda

The Economic Progress Institute (EPI) advocates for equitable policies that improve economic opportunities for all Rhode Islanders every year. But this year is not business as usual; the passage of the federal House Resolution 1 (H.R.1, also known as OBBBA) on July 4, 2025, made unprecedented cuts to Medicaid and SNAP funding to pay for tax breaks for the richest Americans. As a result, an estimated 53,000 Rhode Islanders will lose health insurance, and 14,000 are at risk of losing SNAP benefits. Tens of thousands more will see their healthcare costs increase. EPI’s legislative priorities acknowledge that H.R.1 has created conditions for statewide crises and reflect EPI’s commitment to meet this moment by advocating to protect Rhode Island’s most vulnerable populations, communities, and industries from deep and lasting harm.