The Campaign Moment Ukraine and the anxiety over Trump's budget
Feb 28, 2025
Mariana Sotomayor, a Congressional reporter for The Washington Post, and Jacob Bogage, its Congressional economics correspondent, dive into the tension surrounding Trump’s budget proposal. They discuss how House Republicans are anxious about potential cuts to popular programs like Medicaid. The guests also examine the backlash from voters over controversial figures like Elon Musk. Their insights illuminate the intricate dance of congressional negotiations amid public sentiment, revealing the high stakes of the impending budget battle.
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Dramatic Budget Resolution Vote
- House Republicans narrowly passed a budget resolution after intense negotiations, including a dramatic moment where members were called back to the floor after initially leaving.
- Four holdouts demanded deeper spending cuts, causing a 50-minute delay as Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson worked to secure their votes.
Medicaid Cut Concerns
- The budget resolution doesn't explicitly mention Medicaid cuts, but the spending allocations suggest cuts are likely, causing panic among vulnerable Republicans in swing districts.
- Republicans are worried about the political consequences of cutting Medicaid, a program many of their constituents rely on.
Bannon on Medicaid Cuts
- Steve Bannon acknowledges the political risk of Medicaid cuts, noting many Trump supporters rely on the program.
- This highlights the difficult choices Republicans face in balancing spending cuts with the needs of their base.