Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended Republican-backed Medicaid cuts and new work requirements in an appearance on Meet the Press Sunday, arguing that no one would lose their coverage “unless they choose to do so.” His comments come amid mounting backlash over the House-passed budget bill known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,”which includes sweeping changes to Medicaid and other social programs.
Johnson insisted the bill’s 80-hour monthly work, job training, or volunteer requirement for able-bodied Medicaid recipients is a “commonsense” policy.
“You’re telling me that you’re going to require the able-bodied, these young men, for example… to only work or volunteer in their community for 20 hours a week. And that’s too cumbersome?” Johnson said. “I’m not buying it. The American people are not buying it.”
The legislation, which passed the House last month along party lines, imposes stricter eligibility checks, address verification, and increased paperwork for Medicaid recipients. While Johnson portrayed these requirements as “minor enforcement,” critics across the political spectrum warn they could strip health coverage from millions of low-income Americans.
Pushback from Republicans and Democrats
At multiple town halls, Republican lawmakers who supported the bill — including Reps. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) and Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) — faced boos from constituents. In Iowa, Sen. Joni Ernst was heckled after defending the legislation with the remark, “we all are going to die.”
Even prominent Senate Republicans have expressed concern.
“That argument is both morally wrong and politically suicidal,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) wrote in a New York Times op-ed, criticizing the decision to include Medicaid cuts.
“They should have been satisfied by just doing the tax part… and not getting involved in the debt part of it,” Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) added on Face the Nation.
Democrats Warn of Harm to the Poor
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), who appeared after Johnson on Meet the Press, blasted the bill’s provisions.
“They’re going to throw poor people away,” Warnock said, pointing to work reporting requirements that could trigger coverage loss, especially in states like Georgia.
Warnock cited findings from a Georgia-based study conducted by his office, which he said proved that such reporting policies are effective at disenrolling people, but ineffective at boosting employment.
“This is about bureaucracy, not work,” he said.
Bill Advances to Senate
The legislation now heads to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain. Despite the pushback, Speaker Johnson expressed confidence the bill will advance and predicted President Donald Trump would sign it by Independence Day.
“We’re going to get it to the president’s desk, and he’s going to have a — we’re all going to have a glorious celebration on Independence Day,” Johnson said.
