“I’m not a fan of that,” remarked Senator Josh Hawley, representing Missouri, a state with 1.2 million Medicaid enrollees. He expressed doubt that the current resolution would see a vote on the Senate floor. Senator Jim Justice of West Virginia, where nearly 500,000 are enrolled in Medicaid, acknowledged the program’s significance but highlighted the need to address the federal deficit. “We need to take action,” he stated, emphasizing the need for a measured approach.
Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota echoed the sentiment of improving Medicaid efficiency without causing harm. Various concerns were raised by senators regarding the size of the budget package, with Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin criticizing the $7 trillion spending proposal. He questioned the justification for such a high amount, especially as the impact of the pandemic wanes.
While some senators advocated for larger tax cuts, others, like Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, emphasized the importance of making the tax cuts permanent. The debate over the budget resolution is expected to be prolonged, with both chambers needing to align on a plan for budget reconciliation. This procedural tool would enable the passage of President Trump’s agenda without Democratic support, circumventing the filibuster threshold.
The article points out the potential changes being considered by Senate Republicans to the House-approved blueprint. Collaboration between the two chambers will be crucial to moving forward with the legislative process.
