Senate Republicans Draw Their Reconciliation Battle Lines Over Medicaid

Medicaid cuts continue to be the biggest flash point in reconciliation negotiations.

Sen. Josh Hawley speaks with reporters.
Sen. Josh Hawley speaks with reporters at the U.S. Capitol. Francis Chung/POLITICO/AP

The fate of the GOP’s reconciliation bill may very well come down to Medicaid.

The Trump administration is pulling out all the stops to convince holdouts — those who want more cuts and those who want fewer — but as of Tuesday, just over two weeks out from the GOP’s July 4 deadline, Senate Republican leaders don’t appear to have the votes for a bill that doesn’t even fully exist yet.

“I’m a ‘no,’” said Sen. Ron Johnson, who opposes the bill over deficit concerns. “I’m a ‘no’ for next week, for sure.”