The U.S. House passed a GOP-led budget resolution tonight that could lead to both substantial tax cuts and major funding decreases for crucial federal programs – and despite some apparent qualms, New Jersey Reps. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis), Chris Smith (R-Manchester), and Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) all supported it.
Van Drew in particular had been vocal about his discomfort with some aspects of the budget blueprint, which is the first step in a larger legislative process, saying that he wanted to make sure that Medicaid wouldn’t be adversely affected. But like nearly all of his Republican colleagues, he ultimately came around and voted yes, saying that even a flawed resolution was better than no resolution at all.
“As much as I wanted to see a different budget resolution, I ultimately voted for it because it is essential to move the budget process forward so real negotiations can begin,” Van Drew said. “Americans made it clear they want a better budget – one that reins in spending while protecting the services families rely on.”
The congressman noted that President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders have said they want to maintain Medicaid funding; if there are Medicaid cuts in the eventual legislation that Republicans try to pass, Van Drew said, he’ll vote against it. (The budget resolution that passed today directs the House Energy & Commerce Committee to cut $880 billion in spending, which many people – including Rep. Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the committee – say would inevitably come in part out of Medicaid.)
“There’s not technically a Medicaid cut in this,” Van Drew said shortly before the vote. “I will not support that. People can hold my feet to the fire when the budget comes: if it has a Medicaid cut in it, I won’t support it, and I don’t believe the President of the United States would sign that.”
Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) said before the vote that he, too, wants to keep Medicaid funding intact, which he believes the bill that eventually results from today’s budget vote will do.
“The Speaker has promised we will not see cuts in Medicaid, or Medicare or Social Security,” Smith said. “I’m not sure why people are saying it’s automatically included. They’re looking for a Plan B – to find offsets that would not in any way implicate Medicaid.”
The resolution passed 217-215 – all Democrats voted against it and all but one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), voted in support – but only after a hectic process. The vote, scheduled for this evening, was initially called off and members began going home; then, after GOP leaders made progress on swaying a few key holdouts, the vote was put back on, and members had to trek back to the Capitol to cast their votes.
Now that the resolution has passed, it clears the way for House Republicans to begin working on reconciliation legislation that could extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, slash federal spending in other areas, and a host of other possible policy changes – though that legislation may still be a long way off, especially since Senate Republicans seem to be on a different page on many issues.
New Jersey Democrats, gearing up for that eventual reconciliation fight, said that tonight’s vote was the first salvo in Republicans’ efforts to dismantle the social safety net.
“Make no mistake about it – this budget will lead to millions of Americans losing their health care coverage, all so Republicans can give giant tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations,” Pallone said on the House floor a few hours before the vote. “I urge my colleagues to think twice and vote no.”
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