Rep. Mike Lawler was repeatedly challenged on CNN about whether he would vote to cut $880 Billion from Medicaid - and he flubs the answer with double-talk.
Republican Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY) went on CNN comedy show “Have I Got News For You” Saturday — and found himself in enemy territory.
The frequent supporter of Donald Trump was the recipient of multiple barbs as the panel discussed the president’s first month in office and Elon Musk-led slashing of the government workforce.
But the most vicious came as he danced around committing to voting no if a budget bill comes to the House with plans to cut Medicaid.
The topic came up as show host Roy Wood, Jr. discussed a New York Times report that the spending bill set to come before Congress could include plans to cut $880 billion from the program.
“Even though Trump said that Medicare and Medicaid were safe, he's on Truth Social, encouraging Congress to pass his tax cuts in, quote, one big, beautiful bill," he said.
"But Mike Johnson's new House budget, which will make that possible, calls for around $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid.
“So, Mike, we got you here. Which is it? Is Medicaid safe or is Medicaid going down? Trump or Johnson? Who's your daddy?”
Lawler started by saying, “There are many of us, myself included, who will not cut Medicaid benefits to our constituents. Period.”
But he was less certain when put directly on the spot.
“So when that bill comes to the floor and there's even a dollar in Medicaid cuts, you vote…” said his team captain on the show, Michael Ian Black.
“Well, we're not cutting Medicaid, right?” Lawler replied.
“Right. But I'm saying, but when that bill comes to the floor, if there's even a dollar of Medicaid cuts, you're a no?"
Lawler responded, “On benefits. If you are eliminating any type of fraud or waste or abuse, that's fine. But benefits to beneficiaries? No.”
Black pointed out that Musk and Trump had claimed all sorts of waste and fraud in cuts so far, without any evidence. He continued pressing: “So when the bill comes and there's a dollar to cuts in Medicaid, you're a no.”
“I will not cut Medicaid benefits. No.”
“Right. so you're a no. If there's even a dollar in cuts to Medicaid. Very good,” Black added.
Clearly frustrated at the refusal to give a straight answer, Black said, “You're giving me politician double speak and it's bulls–t.”
“I’m just saying it’s way more complicated than you want to make it,” Lawler complained.
But Black hit back, “It's not complicated.”
No, it’s not complicated. Everybody agrees with removing “fraud and waste” — but the House bill doesn’t do that. It cuts $880 Billion from Medicaid — as well as SNAP and student aid cuts — in order to give a $4.5 Trillion Tax Cut for the wealthy.
This is a crucial question and we can not afford to lose this vote. EVERYBODY who cares about this issue needs to contact Congress and tell them to vote "NO" -- or else we remove their ass.
They are about to cut almost a $Trillion from Medicaid in order to give massive tax cuts for the rich. It’s reverse Robin Hood. They taking away from healthcare for the poor in order to give better stock dividends to a pack of Blue Bloods.
And the deficit will — according to the House Bill — still increase by another $2.5 Trillion.
This is bullshit.
There are 3 Special elections coming up and the generic polls for swing districts are leaning 5% for Dems - if this passes we go full bore to take ALL THOSE SEATS.
As you watch President Donald Trump and Elon Musk recklessly attempt to destroy the federal government like a pair of toddlers picking legs off a spider, it seems as if Republicans have decided public opinion no longer constrains them in the least. Polls are already demonstrating public dissatisfaction with Trump-Musk’s autocratic overreach and top agenda items, yet they have only intensified their assault, and GOP lawmakers who have dared to air their concerns have done so in only the meekest of terms.
That’s why a new memo from the top pollster on Trump’s 2024 campaign is so intriguing: It finds that sizable majorities in competitive House districts are still unhappy about their economic predicament. Read carefully, it also gently warns Republicans that some Trump priorities they’re about to enact could prove unpopular in those districts, though it avoids saying this directly, perhaps to avoid angering the Audience of One.
The memo suggests that some Republicans, at least, do think public opinion matters, and even that maybe—just maybe—they do fear being held accountable in future elections. Like, for instance, next year’s midterms.
The memo’s key findings are that 59 percent of voters in 18 swing districts are “worried about their personal financial situation,” and that Democrats are leading in the House generic ballot matchup by five points. As the memo delicately notes, “Republicans have to play catch up.” Trump’s approval in these districts is 47-49, two points underwater.
These special elections are to replace Matt Gaetz (Florida 1st District) and Michael Walz (Florida 6th District) on April 1, 2025. Following those there will be one more to replace Elise Stefanik (New York 21st District) later when she takes up her position as Ambassador to the UN. She’s remaining in the House — for now — so that she can clinch this vote for Republicans.
If we can, we need to make them lose this vote — and if we can’t, we make them pay for it.
Yes, I’m aware these are all very Red districts — but also many Republicans have gone through FAFO and are very angry. We’ve seen this in multiple Town Halls with voters lashing out over DOGE and the Musk cuts.
Appearing on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Vitali –– who hosts MSNBC's "Way Too Early" –– singled out what could be a problem for Republicans across the country will face when they return to the districts.
After sharing a clip, she asked the panel, "Did you catch that last part?" after McCormick talked about job cuts coming from with in the "organizations" instead of Musk's DOGE which was met with shouting from the crowd.
"A resident said it was actually Elon Musk that's making the decisions when it comes to job cuts," she pointed out. "One attendee told the lawmaker he'd done a disservice and failed to stand up for his constituents."
"We'll note McCormick handily won reelection last year," she pointed out. "He won by 64.9 percent of the vote in this district, in a state that President Trump flipped after narrowly losing it to Joe Biden in 2020. So, it's not like he's in some blue sea, he's in his home district that handily reelected him. "
And more…
If we can tap into this frustration and anger we have a shot.
The GOP is already whispering behind closed doors that Musk and Trump have already gone too far.
GOP lawmakers unleashed a frantic flurry of calls and texts after federal agencies undertook the latest firings this past weekend, with Republicans particularly worried about cuts affecting public safety and health roles. Trump’s legislative affairs team, headed by former JD Vance aide James Braid, took the brunt of the frenetic fallout, according to four Republicans granted anonymity to discuss the conversations.
For the most part, Republican members are publicly cheering the administration’s push to slash the federal government, which is being led by billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk with Trump’s blessing. But privately, many are feeling helpless to counter the meat-ax approach that has been embraced so far, with lawmakers especially concerned about the dismissal of military veterans working in federal agencies as well as USDA employees handling the growing bird flu outbreak affecting poultry and dairy farms.
“I thought we were supposed to be in a new era of meritocracy. Not the indiscriminate firing of people,” said one Republican congressional aide granted anonymity to speak candidly.
Even they know this shit a bad.
If you have Medicaid — Call Congress. If you have a relative on Medicaid -Call Congress. If you have a MAGA Relative on Medicaid — and you’re still on speaking terms — tell their ass to CALL CONGRESS.
Even they know this isn’t what they voted for — TRUMP PROMISED THEM HE WOULDN’T CUT MEDICAID.
But Mike Johnson is trying to do it anyway. Stop. Him.
We can make a serious challenge for these seats. Winning them would give the Dems 218 seats and control of the House, making Hakeem Jeffries speaker. They pass this bill and we take back the House. Mike Johnson goes out to pasture.
We don’t wait until 2026. We do it this year.
Right F-ing Now!
To keep up to date on the News sources that I use to support these diaries — Join my Facebook Group Army for Truth.
To read hundreds of my previous and current articles — you can join my Substack: Dark Skies on the Horizon.
See my new BlueSky Account: vyan1.bsky.social
And, if you feel like, sample the Lastest Single from my Old Band GliTCHeD.
Collective Analytics wants your help!
Many of our projects are highly technical and highly ambitious. Keeping our specialized team full-time is not cheap; funding is always needed. Contributions are gratefully accepted via Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/CollectiveAnalytics (For high-dollar donations, four figures and up, send Kosmail to G2geek.)
Some projects will require more people to carry out; we are actively seeking volunteers to train as these projects launch. Interested in volunteering? Send Kosmail to userexists for more info.
Follow us on DK at https://www.dailykos.com/groups/Collective%20Analytics for our latest updates and articles, and join the conversation. Your support and engagement make all the difference!
Lastly, if you aren’t currently a member of the ACLU — why the hell not?
