The House GOP’s victory in passing a budget resolution last week may be short-lived.
At least two House Republicans say they’re withholding support on the final bill as they seek more information on cuts to Medicaid that could impact their constituents.
Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) represent districts with a significant percentage of Medicaid recipients. Valadao says they’re not the only two with concerns.
“As of right now I think it’s in jeopardy of failing,” Valadao said.
Malliotakis echoed that sentiment, saying other moderate and conservative lawmakers share their concerns.
The clock is ticking toward a March 14 deadline to fund the government and avoid a shutdown.
The Hill’s Mychael Schnell writes: “Republicans can only afford to lose one vote if all members are present and the entire Democratic caucus opposes the measure, which is expected. At the current moment, key lawmakers say the resolution could be doomed to fail.”
That’s why Senate Republicans have been working on a back-up plan.
The Senate could move ahead with its budget resolution as early as Tuesday, although the process will take some time. The Senate is required to allow up to 50 hours of debate and for a vote-a-rama on an unlimited number of amendments.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also hopes to jam through bills giving President Trump money for defense and border security separate from the appropriations process.
• New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) is digging in, saying he’s “going nowhere” as fury builds over Trump’s Department of Justice dropping the corruption investigation against him.
At least a half-dozen DOJ lawyers quit in protest after being instructed to drop the investigation. Some of those who resigned are staunch conservatives.
Democrats say Adams has been compromised and that the Trump administration is squeezing him to implement the president’s immigration agenda.
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) called the dismissal of the corruption case “outright extortion.”
Trump’s border czar Tom Homan denied that prosecutors were instructed to drop the charges against Adams in exchange for holding illegal immigrants at Rikers Island.
“That’s ridiculous,” Homan said.
