Lois Capps: “44 Republicans wrote to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle), the Committee on the Budget chairman, protesting the…”

“44 Republicans wrote to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle), the Committee on the Budget chairman, protesting the Medicaid cuts included in the House budget they had recently voted for. Their letter says, ``We strongly urge you to remove these reductions and the reconciliation instructions targeted at Medicaid.'' Their letter correctly notes that the policy should drive the budget and not the budget the policy. That is a good idea. Unfortunately, it seems like one that will not be followed in the impending budget deal. I hope, Mr. Speaker, that if the budget conference report contains Medicaid cuts, these 44 Republican Members will not buckle to the pressure of the Republican leadership. We all need to stand firm. Just issuing a letter against cuts in a budget you just voted for is not enough. It is important to follow up by not voting for the final bill if it contains the cuts you say you are against. Cuts to Medicaid of this magnitude are going to have real harm to millions of real people. We should reject any budget that indiscriminately calls for millions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid. ____________________”