Freshmen wish list: Jim Justice

Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) is eager to start balancing the federal budget in the Senate, but he also says DOGE has mowed "past the fence."

Why it matters: The popular one-time-Democratic governor has a big personality, a beloved dog and a long beef with his predecessor, Joe Manchin.

• "I always felt like that Joe wanted something for himself ... whether it be prestige or whatever," Justice says. "And I have a real problem with that."
• "There's nothing Fancy Dan about me," Justice tells us in an interview. "I don't want a thing."

Zoom in: In an interview, Justice talked at length with us about the importance of a balanced budget. He wants to follow the same playbook he used in West Virginia.

• But he's also "concerned" about some of the GOP conversations around Medicaid. 28% of the West Virginia population is covered by Medicaid and CHIP.
• Justice supports work requirements, but he needs more information on other cost-cutting proposals that may limit Medicaid expansion.
• He is no longer sure whether GLP-1 weight loss medications should be covered by Medicaid, a proposal he has previously supported.

Between the lines: Justice seems to enjoy being different.·

• He is unpretentious and unassuming ("Call me Jim," he tells us) — but uses a private jet for his daily commute. He gets around the Senate in an electric mobility scooter and is never far from his bulldog, Babydog.
• "Yogi Bear would say, you know, I'm an unusual bear," Justice tells us.

Go deeper: Justice on DOGE, plus his pals in the Senate

— Stef Kight