Speaker Johnson Searches for an ‘Equilibrium Point’ on Reconciliation

Moderate Republicans said significant Medicaid reforms were off the table. Johnson will have to cope with the conservative wing of the conference demanding more.

Mike Johnson
House Speaker Mike Johnson arrives before a joint meeting of Congress at the Capitol. Julia Nikhinson/AP

As Republicans remain at an impasse over some major reconciliation hurdles — namely, the state and local tax deduction and cuts to Medicaid and food benefits — a group of vulnerable and moderate Republicans met with House Speaker Mike Johnson Tuesday to try to find some compromises.

Johnson is already facing blowback from the more moderate wing of the conference on yet-to-be-written provisions in the reconciliation bill. These Republicans insist the House shouldn’t make substantial cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, particularly if the Senate is just going to strip those reductions anyway.

But if Johnson completely throws in the towel on those controversial cuts, he’s sure to face stiff opposition from the more conservative factions of the GOP conference.