As the House of Representatives gears up for a critical vote on a budget bill, two Republican lawmakers have voiced their opposition. Only two Republicans, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, and Chip Roy of Texas voted against the proposed legislation. Their decision raised fears of increased Medicaid costs and state burdens. They would be wrong as House Speaker Mike Johnson tries to force a Memorial Day recess deadline. He deserves great credit for doing this. He calls the bill “historic.”
Norman and Roy warned about the dangerous precedent that would be set by derailing work requirements for able-bodied adults on Medicaid. Norman took to X, stating that postponing these requirements “isn’t progress,” but rather “fiscally irresponsible and another sad excuse for the swamp.” Similarly, Roy emphasized the financial repercussions of the bill, asserting, “We are writing checks we cannot cash and our children are gonna pay the price.”
Johnson, valuing the thoughtfulness of both legislators’ viewpoints, bent to their concerns but continued to argue that a hard timeline is necessary. He also exclaimed that lawmakers are already running up against a second urgent test. Alongside this, he underscored the urgency to move the legislation forward. In an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” he remarked, “We’re working around the clock to deliver this nation-shaping legislation for the American people as soon as possible.”
In the backdrop of this legislative maneuvering, former President Donald Trump has urged unity among lawmakers, stating they “MUST UNITE, behind ‘THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.’” Johnson emphasized that any potential delays in enforcing new eligibility requirements stem from the states’ capabilities to implement necessary changes in their systems. He noted, “There’s no surprises, the package we send over there will be one that was very carefully negotiated and delicately balanced and we hope they don’t make many modifications to it.”
The upcoming vote represents a pivotal moment for Congress as it navigates complex issues surrounding Medicaid and fiscal responsibility. As tensions rise within the party, Norman and Roy’s resistance highlights the ongoing debate about budgetary priorities and the future direction of welfare programs.
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