Akron Reporter

Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes, currently serving in the U.S. Congress representing Ohio's 13th district, has voiced her opposition to a Republican-led reconciliation bill through a series of tweets. Sykes, who replaced Tim Ryan in 2023 and previously served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2015 to 2022, is an advocate for maintaining healthcare accessibility.

On July 2, 2025, Rep. Sykes expressed her stance against the Republicans' reconciliation bill, stating that "House Democrats are standing strong against the Republicans' harmful reconciliation bill." She highlighted that the proposed legislation would negatively impact millions by removing their healthcare access and increasing energy costs.

Later that day, she further criticized Republican claims regarding Medicaid cuts. In another tweet posted on July 2, 2025, she noted that "Republicans try to claim that they don’t support Medicaid cuts." She pointed out that despite these claims, Republicans are advancing a bill proposing $930 billion in Medicaid reductions and opposed her amendment to eliminate these cuts.

In a subsequent tweet on July 2, 2025, Sykes emphasized the importance of Medicaid in Ohio’s 13th district. She stated that "In #OH13, Medicaid does not only mean access to health care." For many residents in her district, it represents economic stability as hospitals are significant employers and essential for pursuing personal aspirations.

Emilia Sykes was born in Akron, Ohio in 1986 and continues to reside there. A graduate of Kent State University with a BA and holding a JD from the University of Florida, she is committed to advocating for policies beneficial to her constituents.