The House GOP budget vote faces collapse as Republican lawmakers clash over proposed $2 trillion in mandatory spending cuts, with Medicaid funding emerging as a flashpoint. Speaker Mike Johnson postponed Tuesday’s planned vote amid mounting opposition from fiscal conservatives and representatives from Medicaid-dependent districts.
Four Republicans – Reps. Massie (KY), Burchett (TN), Davidson (OH), and Spartz (IN) – publicly oppose the blueprint. Johnson can only afford one defection before the measure fails. They’ve convinced me to vote no, Massie told reporters, claiming the plan could increase deficits by billions despite GOP deficit-neutrality pledges.
This bill doesn’t mention Medicaid once,insisted Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Democrats are lying about cuts to distract from their failed policies.
While the resolution avoids explicit Medicaid reductions, its $2 trillion mandatory spending target affects:
- Social Security
- Medicare
- Veteran benefits
Undecided Republicans like Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY) demand guarantees for Medicaid-dependent constituents. Leadership must include representatives with large Medicaid populations in negotiations, she stated.
This Republican budget devastates families, seniors, and democracy itself,declared Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries during Capitol protests. We won’t provide a single vote.
With Johnson racing to secure last-minute support, the delayed vote highlights deepening Republican divisions. Fiscal hawks push for deeper cuts while moderates fear backlash over entitlements – a crisis threatening both Trump’s agenda and the Speaker’s political survival.