Trump says public entitlements like Social Security, Medicaid won't be touched in GOP budget bill
President Donald Trump stated that public entitlements such as Social Security and Medicaid will remain untouched in the GOP's new budget bill, despite significant proposed spending cuts. The Republican-led House approved a $2 trillion cut, with no reductions in Social Security, but potential for Medicaid cuts, whereas the Senate GOP proposed a much smaller $4 billion cut. Trump emphasized his commitment to preventing any harm to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, while expressing intent to reform Medicaid to eliminate fraud and misuse. The budget process involves reconciliation to bypass a Senate filibuster, and Republicans aim to finalize the budget by Memorial Day. Intra-party disagreements persist, with some GOP members opposing deep Medicaid cuts, complicating efforts to balance funding and tax cuts.
President Trump assured during a town hall that Social Security and Medicaid will not be affected by the GOP's contentious budget bill, which is currently progressing through Congress.
The Republican-led House passed $2 trillion in spending cuts, excluding Social Security reductions but allowing potential Medicaid cuts, while Senate Republicans proposed a smaller $4 billion cut, highlighting intra-party differences.
Trump reiterated his stance against harming Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security, while advocating for Medicaid reform to address illegal aliens' misuse of benefits.
The GOP is utilizing the reconciliation process to avoid a Senate filibuster, aiming to complete the budget by Memorial Day, but must resolve internal disagreements to fund desired tax cuts.
Centrist Republicans have voiced opposition to deep Medicaid cuts, which threatens the passage of the budget bill and raises concerns about potential tax increases if the bill fails.
Trump criticized Republican 'grandstanders' who oppose the budget bill and warned of massive tax increases without its passage.
The GOP's efforts to balance the budget involve tough decisions on where to implement cuts to support tax reductions, with Medicaid reform being a critical point of contention.