If we're serious 062925

About honesty in governance and accountability

Josh Hawley, senior Senator from Missouri, former state Attorney General, and contender for fastest departure from an attack site on Jan. 6, has been saying almost since the budget discussion began that he wouldn’t accept any cuts to Medicaid that would hurt his Missouri constituents. https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-op-ed-dont-cut-medicaid/ and https://rollcall.com/2025/04/15/hawleys-change-of-heart-reflects-evolving-politics-of-medicaid/ From the RollCall article “Hawley has made his stance clear in recent weeks: He will not support any proposal that would lead to cuts in Medicaid benefits for Missourians.”

Now, it appears that his principled stand lasted only until he could be bought off with a promise of what, exactly? Sure looks like the tax cuts for his campaign donors are a lot more important than any harm that might come to the rural counties that, in Missouri, provide the bulk of the marginal votes that got him elected. https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/06/28/congress/hawley-reconciliation-megabill-medicaid-00431344

Since the weekend vote was, technically, a procedural vote rather than one on the merits, there is still time for Josh to discover some courage and principles, but this is one tailor made for his next opponent especially since 1.3 million of his constituents (from a total population of 6.1 million in 2024) get their health insurance coverage through the programs he’s about to chop. Phone calls to the Senator’s office will be focused on whether he stands by his statements or his vote and whether he lied to Missourians or the pseudo-President.