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.
Good luck with this guy, Dave. If I were a betting man, I'd say this monstrosity of a bill will indeed make it to the desk of Traitor Trump by Friday. They are playing with Mafia rules in this assembly of elitist toads.
Latest CBO projection is that the Senate version adds $3 trillion to the debt. I notice they don't use the word "conservative" much anymore.
Love the "contender for the fastest departure," Dave. In that vein, I wouldn't count on him to stand on any principles, other than self-survival.
I just read that CBO valued the Senate version almost $1T higher than the House version. Maybe that'll be enough to shake a few Republicans loose from pmurT's coattails.
How's it looking for the good guys in the primary?