When I asked him about the angry part of the base, his feelings about the usual democratic leadership of the business, he rejected the premise of my question. He said he traveled around the country, and he interacted with people who “thanks to Democrats for fighting repeatedly.” He then returned the conversation to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.
A major question is whether Jeffries' Quotidian focus on policy can break through Trump's shock. The answer should be revealed in the next few months. On the opening day of this administration, Congress was an afterthought, and Republican representatives refused to check on Trump or do a lot of legislation. But the next phase of Trump’s agenda runs through the House, with Republicans negotiating a budget bill that extends his first tax break and will now expire at the end of the year while reducing social programs, including Medicaid. Given the narrow Republican majority in the House and the possibility of a Democratic takeover in the mid-term, this may be the only important new legislation in the new legislation signed by Trump.
“Beyond stopping Republicans from stopping them from reckless and extreme budgets to beat the American people's throats, we can do more urgently now,” Jeffries said.
Given the Republican control over Congress — the fact that the Budget bill can pass through the Senate with a simple majority — it is unlikely to thwart legislation. But he still hopes that Republicans may not have proposed a bill that rival factions can agree to. After all, assuming Jeffries unites Democrats, Republicans can only afford three votes. “Everything will collapse, it's a good development for the American people, and what we're trying to make sure that happens,” Jeffries said.
Although Trump has said he wants to protect Medicaid, the debate among the Republicans in Congress is not about cutting it, but how much. The House Budget Resolution passed in February directed the Energy and Commerce Committee to find $880 billion to cut from plans within its jurisdiction, which would require the delivery of the axe to Medicaid. But some so-called moderates say they can only accept $400 billion to $500 billion in Medicaid cuts – still huge bites, but less than what conservatives demand. On Wednesday, 32 conservatives said in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson that their support for the bill depends on “strict adherence to” the framework in the budget solution. (Single parallel struggles were also fought between Blue State and Red State Republicans to federal tax relief for state and local income taxes.)
