The House Republican leadership has privately warned rank-and-file GOP lawmakers to refrain from publicly drawing red lines over Medicaid cuts in the upcoming reconciliation package, according to multiple lawmakers and aides involved in the discussions.
In turn, some moderate House Republicans have watered down public statements warning about deep cuts to the popular programs, which helps pay for health care for millions of low-income Americans and children.
Case in point: Rep. David Valadao’s (R-Calif.) letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) and Speaker Mike Johnson was relatively circumspect. The letter didn’t include any firm demands for what the moderates who signed it would be for or against.
Meanwhile, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) has considered sending a more specific letter detailing what he would oppose in a reconciliation bill. But LaLota hasn’t decided whether to send it, according to multiple sources.
The House Republican leadership has been working with the Energy and Commerce Committee for months and feels as if it can reach Medicaid savings targets without draconian cuts. And moderates are giving the Republican leadership space to achieve that, according to sources in the leadership and rank and file.
Many of these issues will come to a head next week when Congress comes back into session and House Republicans get busy with marking up the reconciliation package.
House Republicans are tasked with cutting $880 billion from programs under the purview of the Energy and Commerce Committee. That will include Medicaid, spectrum sales and new energy policies. E&C is planning to mark up its section of the reconciliation package May 7.
Also, in case you missed it: We scooped on Friday that the White House is looking to sunset a host of Trump administration tax priorities after four years. Those policies include no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and no tax on Social Security benefits.
