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EXCLUSIVE: The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee has accused Democrats of spreading misinformation regarding President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”
Chairman Brett Guthrie, Republican from Kentucky, voiced these concerns in an interview with Fox News Digital. He articulated that Democrats have been engaged in a “fear campaign aimed at scaring Americans” ever since discussions about the budget reconciliation began among Republicans.
Guthrie stated, “Currently, Democrats are disseminating incorrect reports that feature policies not included in the bill.” The chairman emphasized that the legislation aims to refocus Medicaid on mothers, children, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly, rather than on illegal immigrants or able-bodied adults who choose not to work.
Budget Reconciliation Process Overview
The Kentucky Republican specifically mentioned his committee’s section of Trump’s healthcare proposal. Late on Sunday night, the text of the sought-after legislation was released.
The Energy and Commerce Committee, which has extensive jurisdiction, covers federal health programs, telecommunications, and energy policies. This committee carries the responsibility of identifying at least $880 billion in budget cuts to fund other priorities included in the bill.
This sum represents the largest share compared to the other 11 committees engaged in the reconciliation process. Several of these committees received additional funding to implement Trump’s goals related to tax cuts, national defense, and immigration.
On Monday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, or CBO, reported that this legislation could achieve even greater savings than the initial $880 billion benchmark prepared by Republicans.
During a lawmaker-only call among Republicans on Sunday night, Guthrie indicated that the committee discovered savings exceeding $900 billion, according to sources at Fox News Digital.
Democratic Response and Concerns
Democrats quickly seized upon the legislation, labeling it as a definitive indication of Republican intentions to cut Medicaid funding.
However, details released on Sunday night indicated that House Republican leaders shifted away from more drastic cuts to the low-income healthcare program that some conservative lawmakers were advocating.
The proposed legislation would implement a new requirement mandating certain able-bodied adults aged 19 to 64 receiving Medicaid to work at least 80 hours per month.
Moreover, it would introduce specific limitations on how states spend funds on expanded Medicaid populations. Following the Affordable Care Act, states have been permitted to extend Medicaid coverage to adults earning up to 138% of the poverty level.
More specifically, states providing Medicaid coverage to illegal immigrants could face reductions in their federal Medicaid reimbursement dollars, thereby transferring more financial responsibility to the states themselves.
The bill entails mandatory eligibility checks every six months for states with expanded Medicaid populations to ensure that the program is not misused.
A moratorium on new state provider taxes would impact state Medicaid plans, while current rates would remain unchanged. State provider taxes are state-imposed fees on healthcare providers that assist in securing additional federal funding for Medicaid.
Opposition Voices
New Jersey Representative Frank Pallone, the leading Democrat on the committee, publicized a CBO projection requested by his party. It stated that at least 13.7 million individuals could lose health insurance as a consequence of the Republican Medicaid proposals.
Pallone asserted, “Republican leadership unveiled this bill under the cover of night because they fear public awareness of their true intentions.” He emphasized, “This is not a matter of trimming the fat; it involves cutting deep into the bone. The substantial savings envisioned in this bill will primarily come from stripping healthcare from millions of Americans. Nowhere does this bill attempt to address waste, fraud, or abuse—rather, they are eliminating access to healthcare for countless people while diverting those funds to tax breaks benefiting billionaires.”
Republican Counterarguments
Guthrie promptly rejected the calculations mentioned in the Democrats’ news release.
He stated, “It is irresponsible for my colleagues across the aisle to present such an inflated figure concerning coverage loss merely to fearmonger and gain political leverage.”
Furthermore, he affirmed, “This reconciliation process represents a win for Americans nationwide. It is disappointing that Democrats seem determined to consistently oppose sensible policies designed to strengthen the Medicaid program.”
Next Steps for the Legislation
Republicans are expected to push forward the Energy and Commerce aspect of the bill during a committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. Should it receive committee approval, it will be incorporated into the main legislative package, which House Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican from Louisiana, aims to pass before Memorial Day.
This upcoming vote illustrates the ongoing contention between party lines, as both sides maneuver to influence the trajectory of national healthcare policy amid the backdrop of budget reconciliation.
