Akron Reporter

Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes, a U.S. Congress member representing Ohio's 13th district since 2023, recently took to social media to express her concerns about the Republicans' reconciliation bill. Sykes, who succeeded Tim Ryan and previously served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2015 to 2022, shared her views on the implications of the proposed legislation.

On July 3, 2025, Rep. Sykes announced an Instagram Live session scheduled for 12:20 p.m., titled "the WTF Show," where she planned to discuss why she believes "the Republicans’ reconciliation bill is a bad deal for #OH13 and the rest of the country." She also intended to outline what House Democrats are doing in response ("Join Rep. Sykes at 12:20 p.m. on Instagram Live for the WTF Show...").

Later that day, at approximately 4:46 p.m., Sykes criticized the Republican bill further by stating it would remove health insurance from Ohioans and jeopardize children's access to food. She argued this was being done "so they can pay for a large tax cut for their billionaire friends" ("The Republican’s reconciliation bill kicks Ohioans off their health insurance...").

By evening, around 9:26 p.m., Rep. Sykes reiterated her opposition to the bill by highlighting its potential impact on healthcare access and government services in Ohio. She emphasized that such measures were unjustifiable when they result in significant tax cuts benefiting only "the richest 1%." She reaffirmed her commitment to working for constituents rather than billionaires ("Ohioans cannot afford to lose access to their health care and government services...").

Emilia Sykes was born in Akron, Ohio in 1986 and continues to reside there today. She holds a BA from Kent State University and a JD from the University of Florida.