Democrats laid into Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) on Tuesday afternoon after the MAGA ally introduced legislation to undo massive cuts to Medicaid included in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" that he voted for.
The new bill, dubbed the "Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act," would repeal a provider tax moratorium and the future reduction of provider tax authority in the reconciliation bill. The provision is responsible for hundreds of billions worth of Medicaid cuts in the megabill.
Medicaid cuts were initially a sticking point for Hawley and other Republicans, but Hawley ultimately voted for the bill due to a small bailout fund to stabilize rural hospitals. He's since changed his tune, however.
"President Trump has always said we have to protect Medicaid for working people," said Hawley in announcing the bill. "Now is the time to prevent any future cuts to Medicaid from going into effect. I want to see Medicaid reductions stopped and rural hospitals fully funded permanently."
Democrats pounced on Hawley's stunning 180.
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) wrote on X, "Josh Hawley set the house on fire and now wants to play firefighter."
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) chided on X, "Trump and many House Republicans falsely claim the cuts to Medicaid they voted for in the Big Ugly Bill were not actually cuts to Medicaid. How do you know Trump and House Republicans are lying? Because GOP Sen Josh Hawley just introduced a bill to reverse the cuts to Medicaid."
Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) chimed in, "Tells you just how bad their #ReverseRobinHood law is… Senator Hawley voted FOR these Medicaid cuts less than two weeks ago!"
Victor Shi, former campaign staffer for Vice President Kamala Harris, jabbed on X: "You can't make this up: Josh Hawley voted for the Big Beautiful Bill, which he knew included cuts to Medicaid. Now Hawley is trying to run away from his own vote by introducing a new bill that protects Medicaid from being cut. Don't buy it. This is cowardice."
Shi added, "Also, may I remind you this is not the first time Hawley has tried running away from something Except this time, voters will feel the direct impact on their lives. Millions left without Medicaid coverage, and Hawley could've shown some spine and voted against it. Too late now."
And the Democratic Wins Media account added, "BREAKING: In a stunning admission that Donald Trump’s big, ugly bill does indeed cut Medicaid funding, Josh Hawley is introducing a resolution to remove the very cuts he just voted for. This is insane."
