News

Sen. Mitch McConnell Says Voters Will ‘Get Over’ Massive Cuts To Medicaid In GOP Budget

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) is facing criticism for comments made in a meeting with members of the Senate Republican caucus on President Donald Trump and the GOP’s “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

The bill includes extensive budget cuts to Medicaid, with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicting that the cuts will total up to $793 billion over the next decade, resulting in the unenrollment of 10.3 million people from Medicaid. The Democrats have attempted to block the bill, but they lack the necessary votes to do so.

McConnell gave a speech during the meeting, including the sentiment that “failure is not an option” before continuing with, “I know a lot of us are hearing from people back home about Medicaid. But they’ll get over it.”

McConnell’s remarks weren’t recorded at the meeting, so his words could’ve been taken out of context. However, McConnell and his staff have not denied the reports. A spokesperson for McConnell said that he “was speaking about the people who are abusing Medicaid – the able-bodied Americans who should be working.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Democrats were quick to comment on McConnell’s remarks. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) posted on X: “That’s the closing message from Senate Republicans before they vote to take away health care from millions of Americans – all to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Unbelievable.”

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said: “These Medicaid cuts will kick 16 million Americans off their health care, close rural hospitals – forcing people to drive hours just to see their doctor – and gut funding for long-term care for our seniors. No, Sen. McConnell, our people will not ‘get over it.'”

In May, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) attempted to defend the GOP’s bill after a controversial response to a member in her town hall in Iowa. When a constituent told her that many people would die due to the budget cuts, Ernst replied with: “Well, we all are going to die.”

Sherry Chen

Share
Published by
Sherry Chen

Recent Posts

Trump Urges Supporters To Move On From Epstein Case As MAGA Base Claims A Coverup

On Saturday, President Donald Trump urged his supporters to move on from the controversy surrounding…

39 mins ago

Biden Physician Kevin O’Connor Refuses To Testify In Probe Of Ex President’s Mental Competence, Citing Fifth Amendment

Kevin O’Connor, who was former President Joe Biden’s physician during his time in office, refused…

47 mins ago

Whistleblower Says Trump Nominee For Federal Judgeship, Emil Bove, Told Justice Department Attorneys To Defy Court Orders

A whistleblower has provided text messages and emails alleging that Emil Bove, a senior Justice…

16 hours ago

FEMA Head David Richardson Makes First Appearance In Texas Following Deadly Flooding That Killed 129 People

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) acting administrator David Richardson made his first public appearance…

16 hours ago

Trump Names Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy, Former Star Of ‘The Real World,’ To Serve As NASA’s Interim Head

President Donald Trump announced last week that U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy will serve…

20 hours ago

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Didn’t Consult Trump Prior To Authorizing Pause On Weapons Shipments To Ukraine

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth did not notify the White House prior to authorizing a…

1 day ago