The Republican-led House passed a budget plan that pushes for tax cuts and major spending cuts, setting up a tough fight over federal funding.
The near party-line vote of 217-215 advances a reconciliation bill extending the Trump-era tax cuts for $4.5 trillion while requiring lawmakers to identify $2 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade.
Although the resolution does not explicitly call for reductions to Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the scale of the proposed house budget cuts has fueled concerns that critical assistance programs could be in the crosshairs.
The budget blueprint directs multiple committees to slash billions, including an $880 billion reduction from the Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
With President Donald Trump vowing to protect Medicare and Social Security, Medicaid appears particularly vulnerable.
House Democrats, including Pennsylvania’s Rep. Madeleine Dean, have said the plan is a direct attack on working-class families, arguing that these cuts will disproportionately harm low-income Americans.
Dean highlighted that nearly three million Pennsylvanians rely on Medicaid, including 39% of children, 47% of adults with disabilities, and 64% of nursing home residents.
Republican leaders insist that the cuts can be achieved through efficiency measures rather than benefit reductions.
House Speaker Mike Johnson maintains that the GOP is focused on eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse rather than cutting essential services.
However, specifics on how much of the $2 trillion could realistically be saved through waste reduction remain unclear.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania’s 1st District emphasized that this vote is just one step in the budget process and assured constituents that he will monitor deliberations to safeguard local interests.
The potential impact on Pennsylvania is huge. Nearly two million residents rely on SNAP, and about three million are enrolled in Medicaid.
In Bucks County alone, 48,710 individuals received over $8.7 million in SNAP benefits in January.
If deep cuts are made, struggling families and vulnerable populations could face heightened financial insecurity.
The House budget cuts highlighted the GOP’s slim 218-215 majority, leaving little room for Republican defections.
Ultimately, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only Republican to vote against the budget, arguing that the proposed cuts were too broad.
As the reconciliation process moves forward, all eyes will be on how lawmakers balance tax cuts with spending reductions.
