A dozen House Republicans fire warning shot to Mike Johnson
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House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on April 8. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
A dozen swing-district and centrist House Republicans are warning Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) that they won't vote for a budget reconciliation package that cuts Medicaid too deeply.
Why it matters: It puts Johnson in a vise as members of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus demand steep cuts to the health program for low-income individuals.
- The GOP's clash over how much to offset their planned $4 trillion in tax cuts was on full display last week as the Freedom Caucus rebelled over a Senate budget measure that mandated only $4 billion in cuts.
- The House had initially passed a budget resolution that would require $1.5 trillion in cuts — and would likely reduce Medicaid funding.
What they're saying: The 12 lawmakers wrote in a letter to Johnson and other GOP leaders that many of them represent "districts with high rates of constituents who depend on Medicaid."
- "Balancing the federal budget must not come at the expense of ... their health and economic security," they said in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by Axios.
- The lawmakers issued an ultimatum: "We cannot and will not support a final reconciliation bill that includes any reduction in Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations."
Zoom in: The letter was signed by Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.), Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), Young Kim (R-Calif.), Robert Wittman (R-Va.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) and Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.).
- Johnson said in a statement that House Republicans "will strengthen, sustain, and secure Medicaid so we can preserve it for the vulnerable American populations it was designed to serve."
- A spokesperson for the House Energy and Commerce Committee said chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) is "working with members across the House Republican Conference" to that end.
- The letter was first reported by Punchbowl News.
Between the lines: While they are pushing against what they see as overly zealous benefit cuts, these moderate members aren't ruling out some Medicaid reforms as a way of paying for tax cuts.
- LaLota told Axios he is "committed to responsible, compassionate Medicaid reforms that strengthen the program for Americans who truly need it."
- "These reforms will prioritize work requirements for able-bodied adults, ensure benefits go only to legal residents, and increase eligibility checks from once every 12 months to every 6 months to help prevent fraud and abuse," he said.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
