Illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios
Republicans' reconciliation strategy envisions giving committee chairs the latitude to find payfors to help cover the cost of a sweeping tax cut package, according to House Budget Chair Jodey Arrington.
Why it matters: Any potential package could have big implications for Medicaid and other federal health programs.
What they're saying: Arrington, whose panel will kick off the reconciliation process with a budget resolution, said after Wednesday's Republican Study Committee meeting that on Medicaid policy there are "specifics that are out there for consideration," but "that's going to be driven by the chairman of the policy committees."
- "It's not top down, it's committee up.… That's going to be driven by the committees, and they have the list [of policy ideas] that we put in our 10-year balanced budget."
- "They are going to come up with the maximum achievable savings, and then that's going to be socialized with our conference and the various caucuses, and we'll come to a number that we all agree on."
On Tuesday, Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie told Axios that he was "sure Medicaid reform is going to be a part" of reconciliation, potentially through per capita allotments.
Reality check: Although leadership always says it wants to empower the committee chairs, most big policy decisions still end up being made by the top brass.
Catch up quick: President-elect Trump met with senators Wednesday and discussed reconciliation but didn't weigh in on whether lawmakers should do one or two packages, Axios' Stef Kight reported last night.
- Although Trump did pitch the idea of one "beautiful bill" again, he also heard about the merits of a two-package strategy from senators.
