June 30, 2025
Dozens of House Republicans are currently in a state of high anxiety, attempting to counteract substantial Medicaid reductions proposed in the Senate's version of a sweeping party-line megabill, which might be approved as early as tonight. According to sources within the GOP, there has been a flurry of group texts and urgent phone calls among lawmakers who are deeply concerned about the Senate's aggressive stance on Medicaid.
These concerns are amplified by moves from Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who is pushing for diminished federal contributions to Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act's expansion. This is a contentious point for many House members, who see it as a non-negotiable aspect of the bill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has scheduled a critical conference call with several GOP members for 4:30 p.m. Monday to strategize on the next steps. This meeting follows a session earlier in the day where staff from both the Senate and the House convened to address these significant discrepancies.
The pressure is mounting as senior House Republicans signal that there might still be a need to iron out differences if the Senate fails to include a final compromise on the Medicaid provisions in an amendment before passing the bill. This ongoing discord threatens to delay the bill's signing, potentially missing the July 4 deadline set by President Donald Trump.
The Senate's current position has been shaped by an internal push to expand the tax-cut package, necessitating deeper cuts to Medicaid funding. Discussions in the Senate have been tense, with leaders reluctant to commit to a final wraparound amendment that would address the concerns of House Republicans. Some Senate leaders are wagering that the House will ultimately accept the Senate's decisions.
As the clock ticks down, the situation remains fluid with GOP senators and House members locked in a high-stakes political maneuver, each side navigating not just the intricacies of policy but also the broader implications for their constituents and political futures.