Latest news with #CongressionalHispanicConference
Washington Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Funding for Smithsonian's Anacostia, Latino museums cut in proposed Trump budget
The Trump administration is proposing to eliminate separate funding for the Smithsonian's long-planned National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall, as well as the Anacostia Community Museum, a venerated D.C. staple that celebrates Black culture and history. A broad spectrum of opponents, including members of the Republican-led Congressional Hispanic Conference, expressed alarm over the proposed cuts, which coincide with a White House effort to exert greater control over the management and programming at some of the country's most prestigious cultural institutions.
Newsweek
05-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Republicans Warn Trump Admin About Medicaid Cuts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As Republicans debate how to rein in federal spending following President Donald Trump's latest round of tax cuts, a proposed shift in Medicaid funding is drawing resistance: not from Democrats, but from within the GOP. Moderate and battleground-district Republicans, including Representatives Mike Lawler of New York and Don Bacon of Nebraska, are publicly warning party leaders not to go too far in overhauling the safety net. Why It Matters Nearly 80 million Americans are currently enrolled in Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for low-income individuals and people with disabilities. States that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act could face steep federal funding reductions under a capped system. Analysts at the KFF estimate that such caps would cause 15 million enrollees to lose Medicaid coverage over the next decade. The proposed cap doesn't directly reduce individual benefits, but it limits how much the federal government pays per enrollee, regardless of how much care is actually needed. That could lead to states scaling back services or narrowing eligibility as they try to manage budget shortfalls. U.S. President Donald Trump reacts to a question during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump reacts to a question during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 30, 2025 in Washington, To Know The proposal at the center of the debate is known as a "per capita cap," a policy that would limit federal Medicaid payments to a set amount per enrollee. Though supporters argue it wouldn't technically cut benefits, critics say it would gradually shift costs to states and potentially reduce access to care. GOP leaders say no final decision has been made, and the party remains divided. Lawmakers in politically vulnerable seats are warning that any proposal perceived as a cut to Medicaid could be harmful in 2024 swing districts. Centrist Republicans are seeking alternative savings proposals to avoid politically risky Medicaid changes. Representatives Lawler and Bacon are part of a loose coalition pushing leadership to focus on other cost-cutting measures, such as fraud reduction and administrative streamlining, that wouldn't reduce access to care. In addition to Lawler and Bacon, other Republicans have signaled caution. Representative Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey said he would support "guardrails" on Medicaid growth but opposes cutting the 50 percent federal match for traditional Medicaid. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Conference, including Representatives Juan Ciscomani of Arizona and Gabe Evans of Colorado, are also showing resistance, pushing leadership to focus on anti-fraud measures rather than broader cuts that could affect constituents' health access. What People Are Saying Representative Don Bacon told Omaha's KETV: "We're trying to do this very carefully. But I wanted to tell our leadership that if you are going to cut above this, you're going to have to persuade about 20 of us, or maybe more, that it's not going to affect the quality of healthcare for individuals who need it, or hospitals." Louise Norris, health policy analyst for told Newsweek: "Especially in lower-income districts that rely heavily on Medicaid, it's not surprising that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are expressing concerns about federal proposals that would shift Medicaid costs onto states and potentially result in reduced benefits or stricter eligibility rules." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "Proposals for changes to Medicaid vary, but one gaining traction has been for caps to put on the amount the federal government will supply the states for beneficiaries. The current Medicaid program is a partnership between federal and state governments, and while this proposal would keep that partnership, it would install firm limits on how much the federal government would pay for that program. The result is states would have to pick up the tab for increased costs and assume more liability." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "There's a small but growing trend of Republicans speaking out against cuts to the Medicaid expansion budget. Some have gone on record saying they won't support any direct reductions in benefits. They're fine with tightening eligibility or adding work requirements, but once you introduce caps, you're talking about cutting benefits, and that's where the resistance starts." What Happens Next House Speaker Mike Johnson has not publicly committed to including the caps in a budget deal, and negotiations are expected to continue through the summer. "Some Republicans are growing concerned - and rightfully so," Beene said. "If their state is dependent on that funding, any cap put on federal Medicaid spending could create a domino effect that would hurt beneficiaries in their state." Thompson said the states that rely most heavily on Medicaid expansion are Republican strongholds. "This budget would pull funding from the very people who voted them into office. That's a political problem, and they know it," Thompson said. "The bigger issue is the shift of financial responsibility. These cuts don't just disappear, they land squarely on state budgets. And when the federal support shrinks, states will be forced to either raise revenue or cut back. That means scaling down the very programs people rely on."
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Republicans pushing forward on Medicaid changes, despite potential political fallout
House Republicans signaled they're going full steam ahead on significant changes to Medicaid, despite pressure from Democrats and even some moderates in their party. The suggested overhauls to the program, which provides health care for lower-income Americans and those with disabilities, are part of an effort to slash federal spending and hit the House GOP's goal of cutting $2 trillion over a decade from the federal budget. 'I support any plan that helps Medicaid be sustainable. And the current trajectory of Medicaid is not,' said Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, who recently declared he's running for governor of Florida -- a state with millions of Medicaid recipients. MORE: House Republicans narrowly pass measure to fund Trump's agenda after last-minute drama "Medicaid is supposed to be for people who are disabled, for children, for single parents with multiple kids. That's what Medicaid is for. And if we continue down this line where it just becomes a bigger and bigger portfolio of beneficiaries, the federal government is not going to be able to afford the match," Donalds added. In a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, moderate Republican members of the Congressional Hispanic Conference warned "slashing Medicaid would have serious consequences, particularly in rural and predominantly Hispanic communities." Asked what he would say to Republican colleagues who are worried cuts to Medicaid will have a serious impact on lower income Americans, Donalds replied, "I think some of that is, quite frankly, fear-based. We know the Democrats are already running ads about Medicaid and about how what we're trying to do is damaging to people and it's just simply not true." Some GOP members have floated adding new work requirements to the program and capping the amount of money states receive to run their Medicaid programs -- a pitch that could drastically reduce the number of people on Medicaid and limit the funding available for beneficiaries. "I don't consider that a cut," Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said about work requirements. "I don't consider block-granting to the states a cut. The Democrats are using that but it's just not right." The exact plan is still unclear. Approving the House budget blueprint Tuesday night was just the first step in a months-long budgeting process that could stretch into the summer. MORE: Why Republicans' proposed health care cuts could be politically risky "We're very early in this process," New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a moderate who represents a Staten Island district with a significant number of Medicaid recipients, said. "Maybe you should wait until we actually do the work and highlight what we're going to do," she said. Republicans also believe they can achieve a significant amount of their spending cuts by targeting fraud in Medicaid and Medicare. But eliminating all fraud and waste would likely only chip away at Republicans' goal. Asked about that approach, Malliotakis said, "There's about $50 billion a year in fraud, just within the Medicaid program." But whether Republicans can get to the kinds of numbers they're talking about by just eliminating fraud, Malliotakis said, "Well, yes. Within the health care. You're going to look at that, you're going to look at the loopholes the states have put in place. MORE: Democrats outline playbook to target House Republicans on Medicaid, budget and DOGE Meanwhile, Democrats are pouncing. An internal Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee memo first obtained by ABC News shows Democrats aim to make Medicaid cuts "politically perilous for House Republicans" in the November 2026 midterm elections. 'Rather than delivering on their campaign promises to lower the high cost of living, [Republicans] are poised to pass an extreme budget scheme that would decimate affordable health care and take food off the tables of millions of American families,' the memo reads. Republicans pushing forward on Medicaid changes, despite potential political fallout originally appeared on
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House GOP budget resolution on thin ice as conservatives dig in on opposition
The House GOP's budget resolution is on thin ice as conservative budget hawks dig in on their opposition, threatening to derail Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) plans to bring the legislation up for a vote on Tuesday. At least four Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.), Victoria Spartz (Ind.), Warren Davidson (Ohio) and Tim Burchett (Tenn.) — said they plan to vote against the measure when it hits the floor Tuesday evening, airing gripes related to spending. Burchett said there are at least five opponents, signaling that the resistance is larger behind the scenes. The hardened opposition has already prompted leadership to change its projections for a vote. After announcing Monday night that the House would vote on the budget resolution on Tuesday night, Johnson opened the door to delaying that timeline. 'There may be a vote tonight, may not be,' he said at a press conference Tuesday morning. 'Stay tuned.' 'That's why you get paid and hang around here, you have lots to report on,' he added. The budget resolution would set the stage for House Republicans to pass a sprawling bill full of Trump's domestic policy priorities, including border funding, energy policy and tax cuts. Johnson, however, has little room for error. Republicans can only afford to lose one GOP vote and still adopt the resolution, assuming full attendance and complete Democratic opposition. Attendance on both sides of the aisle was unclear early on Tuesday. In a positive development for Johnson, leadership appeared to make some progress with moderate Republicans who have expressed hesitation about the resolution, primarily over expected cuts to Medicaid. A handful of centrists huddled with Johnson in his office late Monday night. 'I'm in a better place [than] where I was yesterday,' said Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), who last week signed on to a letter with Congressional Hispanic Conference members expressing concerns about potential changes to Medicaid and other programs. Medicaid cuts have been a significant flashpoint throughout the budget resolution deliberations, with moderates concerned that the conference may gut the social safety net program to reach the $880 billion minimum of spending cuts the Energy and Commerce Committee has been directed to find — a reality that some lawmakers have publicly acknowledged. Leadership, however, is downplaying any potential changes to Medicaid ahead of the vote on the framework. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) held up a paper copy of the resolution in a press conference and said: 'There is no Medicaid in this bill. There are no Medicaid cuts in this bill.' Pressed on whether he can guarantee there won't be cuts to Medicaid, Johnson said that the program is 'hugely problematic because it has a lot of fraud, waste, abuse.' 'That's what we're about, and that's what you're going to see happen,' the Speaker added, saying Republicans want to ensure migrants in the country illegally do not get Medicaid benefits. Still at least two budget hawks are digging in on their opposition — and signaling that they will not waver from that position — which is enough resistance to tank the bill. 'I was a lean no before this meeting, now I'm a no,' Massie told reporters after leaving the House GOP conference's gathering Tuesday morning, pointing to a fact sheet from leadership and arguing that the measure will add to the deficit. 'If the Republican plan passes under the rosiest assumptions, which aren't even true, we're gonna add $328 billion to the deficit this year, we're gonna add $295 billion to the deficit the year after that, and $242 billion to the deficit after that, under the rosiest assumptions,' Massie added. 'Why would I vote for that?' Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), who announced her opposition to the resolution over the weekend, re-upped that position Tuesday morning, arguing that the budget resolution does not do enough to rein in deficit spending. 'We have a baseline that includes $3.5 trillion, and we're only committing to really $150 billion,' she said. 'It's just really sad.' The Indiana Republican — who is known to flip-flop stances on high-stakes votes — dismissed any notion that she would change her position, suggesting that she was dug in on the opposition. 'I don't change my vote if things don't change,' Spartz said. 'I don't think you guys get right memo. I never change my vote without changes in the rules or changes in procedures.' Members of the House Freedom Caucus, who are normally part of a cadre of hardliners opposing legislation over fiscal matters, meanwhile, are supportive of the resolution after they secured key changes ahead of a committee vote earlier this month. But with the thin GOP margin, other fiscal hawks can easily threaten the vote. House GOP leadership is racing to adopt its budget resolution as it seeks to keep pace with its ambitious timeline to pass Trump's domestic policy agenda. Republicans are looking to use the budget reconciliation process to achieve that goal which would allow the party to circumvent Democratic opposition in the Senate. Republicans, however, must first adopt a budget resolution to set that process in motion. Johnson has said he wants to move the budget resolution out of the chamber by the end of this month. The resolution lays out a $1.5 trillion floor for spending cuts across committees with a target of $2 trillion, puts a $4.5 trillion ceiling on the deficit impact of any GOP plan to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts, and includes $300 billion in additional spending for the border and defense and a $4 trillion debt limit increase. Tucked inside the resolution is a directive for the Energy and Commerce Committee to find at least $880 billion in deficit reductions, which some say will necessitate changes to Medicaid — a notion that sparked widespread concerns among moderates. While the measure does not directly call for cuts to Medicaid a number of lawmakers have argued that the $880 billion number cannot be reached without significant slashes to Medicaid. Republicans have been publicly talking for weeks about offsetting the cost of tax cuts and other priorities with adjustments to Medicaid. Members leaving the House GOP Conference meeting, however, Tuesday morning echoed a key talking point from leadership: That the resolution is simply the framework for the Trump agenda bill, and does not include the final details. 'It's just a starting point,' said Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.). While Massie and Spartz signaled firm opposition to the budget resolution, Burchett and Davidson suggested that they could be convinced to get on board. When asked if there was any path for leadership to gain his support, Davidson said 'they could communicate a binding plan for discretionary spending ahead of March 14,' pointing to the looming government funding deadline. He said he wants the budget resolution and government funding plan to reduce spending, and would like to see the slashes outlined by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) locked in by Congress. 'I want a plan that, when you put the whole spending together it actually spends less money. We're seeing part of the plan with the budget resolution, we're not seeing the whole plan,' Davidson said. 'If Congress doesn't lock in in funding some measure of all these things that DOGE is outlining, the administration's gonna keep losing in court.' Burchett, meanwhile, said he just needs some 'verbal' assurances that GOP leaders are committed to reining in deficits in real numbers. 'I'd just like to have some confirmation that we're going to make some changes,' he said. 'We don't honor what we write down anyway. Come on. This is Washington. They don't honor anything.' Like the other conservative holdouts, the Tennessee Republican said his chief concern is that the GOP budget will spike the nation's deficit spending in the name of cutting it. He's accusing Republican leaders of fudging the numbers to claim savings where there is none. 'We promised the people we're gonna have cuts, and then we're just gonna turn right around and spend the money at the Pentagon. The war pimps will get theirs no matter what anyway,' Burchett said. 'And President Trump is talking about permanent tax cuts — I don't think they're in there. And they talk about all [these] DOGE cuts — which are great, and America loves — but what they don't realize is they're just going to tack 'em right back on to the money we saved, that we're borrowing.' Burchett blasted the GOP's proposed cuts as insufficient to rein in deficits, and he dismissed the Republicans' growth projections stemming from tax cuts as unrealistic 'Washington talk.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
25-02-2025
- Business
- The Hill
House GOP budget resolution on thin ice as conservatives dig in on opposition
The House GOP's budget resolution is on thin ice as conservative budget hawks dig in on their opposition, threatening to derail Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) plans to bring the legislation up for a vote on Tuesday. At least four Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.), Victoria Spartz (Ind.), Warren Davidson (Ohio) and Tim Burchett (Tenn.) — said they plan to vote against the measure when it hits the floor Tuesday evening, airing gripes related to spending. Burchett said there are at least five opponents, signaling that the resistance is larger behind the scenes. The hardened opposition has already prompted leadership to change its projections for a vote. After announcing Monday night that the House would vote on the budget resolution on Tuesday night, Johnson opened the door to delaying that timeline. 'There may be a vote tonight, may not be,' he said at a press conference Tuesday morning. 'Stay tuned.' 'That's why you get paid and hang around here, you have lots to report on,' he added. The budget resolution would set the stage for House Republicans to pass a sprawling bill full of Trump's domestic policy priorities, including border funding, energy policy and tax cuts. Johnson, however, has little room for error. Republicans can only afford to lose one GOP vote and still adopt the resolution, assuming full attendance and complete Democratic opposition. Attendance on both sides of the aisle was unclear early on Tuesday. In a positive development for Johnson, leadership appeared to make some progress with moderate Republicans who have expressed hesitation about the resolution, primarily over expected cuts to Medicaid. A handful of centrists huddled with Johnson in his office late Monday night. 'I'm in a better place [than] where I was yesterday,' said Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), who last week signed on to a letter with Congressional Hispanic Conference members expressing concerns about potential changes to Medicaid and other programs. Medicaid cuts have been a significant flashpoint throughout the budget resolution deliberations, with moderates concerned that the conference may gut the social safety net program to reach the $880 billion minimum of spending cuts the Energy and Commerce Committee has been directed to find — a reality that some lawmakers have publicly acknowledged. Leadership, however, is downplaying any potential changes to Medicaid ahead of the vote on the framework. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) held up a paper copy of the resolution in a press conference and said: 'There is no Medicaid in this bill. There are no Medicaid cuts in this bill.' Pressed on whether he can guarantee there won't be cuts to Medicaid, Johnson said that the program is 'hugely problematic because it has a lot of fraud, waste, abuse.' 'That's what we're about, and that's what you're going to see happen,' the Speaker added, saying Republicans want to ensure migrants in the country illegally do not get Medicaid benefits. Still at least two budget hawks are digging in on their opposition — and signaling that they will not waver from that position — which is enough resistance to tank the bill. 'I was a lean no before this meeting, now I'm a no,' Massie told reporters after leaving the House GOP conference's gathering Tuesday morning, pointing to a fact sheet from leadership and arguing that the measure will add to the deficit. 'If the Republican plan passes under the rosiest assumptions, which aren't even true, we're gonna add $328 billion to the deficit this year, we're gonna add $295 billion to the deficit the year after that, and $242 billion to the deficit after that, under the rosiest assumptions,' Massie added. 'Why would I vote for that?' Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), who announced her opposition to the resolution over the weekend, re-upped that position Tuesday morning, arguing that the budget resolution does not do enough to rein in deficit spending. 'We have a baseline that includes $3.5 trillion, and we're only committing to really $150 billion,' she said. 'It's just really sad.' The Indiana Republican — who is known to flip-flop stances on high-stakes votes — dismissed any notion that she would change her position, suggesting that she was dug in on the opposition. 'I don't change my vote if things don't change,' Spartz said. 'I don't think you guys get right memo. I never change my vote without changes in the rules or changes in procedures.' Members of the House Freedom Caucus, who are normally part of a cadre of hardliners opposing legislation over fiscal matters, meanwhile, are supportive of the resolution after they secured key changes ahead of a committee vote earlier this month. But with the thin GOP margin, other fiscal hawks can easily threaten the vote. House GOP leadership is racing to adopt its budget resolution as it seeks to keep pace with its ambitious timeline to pass Trump's domestic policy agenda. Republicans are looking to use the budget reconciliation process to achieve that goal which would allow the party to circumvent Democratic opposition in the Senate. Republicans, however, must first adopt a budget resolution to set that process in motion. Johnson has said he wants to move the budget resolution out of the chamber by the end of this month. The resolution lays out a $1.5 trillion floor for spending cuts across committees with a target of $2 trillion, puts a $4.5 trillion ceiling on the deficit impact of any GOP plan to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts, and includes $300 billion in additional spending for the border and defense and a $4 trillion debt limit increase. Tucked inside the resolution is a directive for the Energy and Commerce Committee to find at least $880 billion in deficit reductions, which some say will necessitate changes to Medicaid — a notion that sparked widespread concerns among moderates. While the measure does not directly call for cuts to Medicaid a number of lawmakers have argued that the $880 billion number cannot be reached without significant slashes to Medicaid. Republicans have been publicly talking for weeks about offsetting the cost of tax cuts and other priorities with adjustments to Medicaid. Members leaving the House GOP Conference meeting, however, Tuesday morning echoed a key talking point from leadership: That the resolution is simply the framework for the Trump agenda bill, and does not include the final details. 'It's just a starting point,' said Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.). While Massie and Spartz signaled firm opposition to the budget resolution, Burchett and Davidson suggested that they could be convinced to get on board. When asked if there was any path for leadership to gain his support, Davidson said 'they could communicate a binding plan for discretionary spending ahead of March 14,' pointing to the looming government funding deadline. He said he wants the budget resolution and government funding plan to reduce spending, and would like to see the slashes outlined by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) locked in by Congress. 'I want a plan that, when you put the whole spending together it actually spends less money. We're seeing part of the plan with the budget resolution, we're not seeing the whole plan,' Davidson said. 'If Congress doesn't lock in in funding some measure of all these things that DOGE is outlining, the administration's gonna keep losing in court.' Burchett, meanwhile, said he just needs some 'verbal' assurances that GOP leaders are committed to reining in deficits in real numbers. 'I'd just like to have some confirmation that we're going to make some changes,' he said. 'We don't honor what we write down anyway. Come on. This is Washington. They don't honor anything.' Like the other conservative holdouts, the Tennessee Republican said his chief concern is that the GOP budget will spike the nation's deficit spending in the name of cutting it. He's accusing Republican leaders of fudging the numbers to claim savings where there is none. 'We promised the people we're gonna have cuts, and then we're just gonna turn right around and spend the money at the Pentagon. The war pimps will get theirs no matter what anyway,' Burchett said. 'And President Trump is talking about permanent tax cuts — I don't think they're in there. And they talk about all [these] DOGE cuts — which are great, and America loves — but what they don't realize is they're just going to tack 'em right back on to the money we saved, that we're borrowing.' Burchett blasted the GOP's proposed cuts as insufficient to rein in deficits, and he dismissed the Republicans' growth projections stemming from tax cuts as unrealistic 'Washington talk.'
