Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) tried to minimize fears that the “massive, lovely invoice” would harm Medicaid recipients on a Saturday night time CNN look as Senate Republicans scramble to push the large laws bundle to a vote.
Steep cuts to Medicaid proposed within the preliminary drafts of the invoice have been a big sticking level amongst just a few Senate Republicans, in addition to some extent of criticism from Democrats, who’ve bashed the invoice as chopping social providers for the poor whereas increasing tax cuts for the rich.
On CNN, Rounds defended a proposal that will develop Medicaid work necessities to use to folks of kids over the age of 14.
“We’re not truly chopping Medicaid. What we’re doing is considerably slowing down the rise in progress in Medicaid over the subsequent 10 years, and that’s our aim,” Rounds claimed.
He later added, “No one on my aspect of the aisle desires to harm folks.”
Different compromises on Medicaid within the works include a fund for rural hospitals and a delay on tax cuts that assist fund state contributions to the well being care program.
Any modifications to the invoice, nonetheless, nonetheless must cross muster from the Senate parliamentarian, who enforces the chamber’s guidelines on what sorts of laws could be handed by way of a easy majority. And Republican leaders additionally must stability making certain that any modifications made on the Senate aspect are palatable to the Home, in addition to President Trump.
If the invoice proceeds to a flooring vote, Democrats might try to decelerate its passage by having the Senate clerks learn your entire textual content out loud, a chance that Rounds critiqued. Then, senators will be capable of suggest and vote on limitless amendments.
“And once we’re all executed with that, then you might have a closing vote on the invoice, up or down,” Rounds mentioned. “We’ve acquired a protracted couple of days forward of us, however we will probably be profitable in the long run.”