House Republicans finally passed a budget resolution on Tuesday night by the narrowest of margins following hours of vote wrangling and argument, initiating the process to draft a sweeping tax cut, energy, and border bill that could culminate in slashes to social services including Medicaid and nutritional assistance.
The budget resolution provides a framework for committees to draft more detailed legislation, which will require further votes. The Senate and House now must set aside their differences and agree on how to proceed.
In response, Democrats, who put up a united front against the measure, came out swinging against the House proposal — and signaled they plan a long fight to oppose the MAGA agenda.
"Instead of working to lower costs and make life easier, Republicans voted to strip Americans of access to affordable health care, jeopardizing the physical and financial wellbeing of millions of their constituents and threatening the future of Medicaid expansion in 40 states," said a statement from the Democratic Governors Association.
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"99% of House Republicans just voted to gut Medicaid so they can lower taxes for the richest 1%," wrote Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). "They’re showing you exactly who they’re working for."
"After all of their speeches about the deficit, House Republicans just passed a budget scheme that makes the deficit worse, while showering the top 1% with tax cuts and making everybody else suffer," wrote Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA).
"Chaos on the House Floor this evening as Republicans flip-flop on voting on their budget that would gut Medicaid," wrote Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL). "This should be an easy vote. I joined every House Democrat to vote NO on their disgraceful budget."
"I've heard a lot of Republicans claiming they don't want to take away Americans' health care this week," wrote Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA). "House Republicans just voted to pass the largest cuts to Medicaid in American history. As always, Republicans will betray the middle class to help billionaire donors."
"Today, I made my easiest vote to date in Congress: I voted to protect Medicaid for millions of North Carolinians," wrote Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC). "The American people will not forget Republican's unconscionable attempt to destroy this critical program in favor of tax cuts for the wealthy."
"House Republicans at the direction of Trump & Musk, just voted to kick millions of Americans off Medicaid, to give billionaires big tax cuts," wrote Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA). "The wealthiest man on the planet will get richer as working families suffer. Everyone needs to get off the sidelines and fight back."
"I will never vote to cut healthcare for 37,000 Michiganders, many kids, in the 11th District," wrote Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). "That’s why I voted no on the Republican Rip Off. This isn’t a budget it’s a handout to billionaires like @ElonMusk."
"I voted no on House Republicans’ budget plan," wrote Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX). "It is not only fiscally irresponsible, but it would take food away from South Texas children and seniors and jeopardize healthcare for thousands in my district. We can do better, and we must do better."
