‘Won’t have anywhere to hide’: Democrats are keen to scrutinize the GOP megabill
Republicans will encounter numerous votes that will require them to publicly position themselves on a variety of contentious aspects of their agenda.
TroibNews 
Republicans are preparing to launch President Donald Trump’s ambitious domestic policy bill, which could serve as a significant focal point for Democratic messaging in the upcoming midterms.
In the coming week, GOP lawmakers will begin to unveil segments of the proposed megabill, with House committees scheduled to conduct meetings to advance specific elements. Speaker Mike Johnson has established an assertive Memorial Day deadline for the bill’s finalization in the chamber.
On the other side, Democrats are strategizing a committee-by-committee battle over the bill’s drafting. They plan to orchestrate a multitude of votes, aiming to put vulnerable House Republicans on the record regarding some of the more contentious aspects of the GOP agenda. They are particularly concerned about potential changes to Medicaid in the Energy and Commerce Committee and alterations to food assistance in the Agriculture Committee, as well as tax provisions under consideration in Ways and Means.
The belief is that the introduction of concrete proposals will enhance the impact of Democratic critiques of the GOP agenda. Already, party campaign committees and aligned organizations have been working to frame the narrative by accusing Republicans of targeting Medicaid, though the GOP has countered these claims by asserting that no such cuts have been proposed. Recently, the NRCC was successful in removing some billboards related to this discussion.
“They won't have anywhere to hide” once legislation emerges, said Anne Shoup, a senior adviser to Protect Our Care, a well-funded organization fighting against the GOP bill. “We know how important the next couple weeks are in this fight, and we're going to ramp up and really take it to the Republicans.”
“They’re writing the playbook for Democrats to take back the House in 2026,” added House Majority PAC spokesperson Katarina Flicker.
Democratic officials are essentially revisiting the strategy that helped them reclaim control of the House in the wake of the 2018 midterms, during which they targeted Republicans for months over their votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act and for passing tax cuts that primarily benefit wealthy Americans—measures that Hill Republicans are currently seeking to extend.
The recent two-week congressional recess provided a glimpse of this familiar messaging, with Democrats engaging in a coordinated effort focused on Medicaid and Social Security through town halls in GOP districts where they emphasized economic issues.
While Republicans can pass the megabill independently, assuming party unity, they plan to implement special procedures to circumvent a Senate filibuster, thereby not requiring any Democratic votes. However, Democrats are committed to making the GOP pay for their decisions.
“If House Republicans push ahead with their plan to gut Medicaid and rip health care away from millions of Americans just to fund another tax cut for their billionaire donors like Elon Musk, Democrats will fight them every step of the way — and we’ll make it as painful as possible,” stated Rep. Lori Trahan, a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Democrats are also considering tactics to put members from purple districts serving on key committees in challenging positions. Notable targets include Reps. Tom Kean, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Gabe Evans, who serve on Energy and Commerce and may need to vote on proposed changes to Medicaid reimbursement rates. In the Agriculture Committee, swing-district Reps. Don Bacon, Derek Van Orden, and Zach Nunn could be scrutinized over potential cuts to SNAP, the food aid program.
Republicans are anticipated to unite in defeating Democratic amendments in committee. Some committees, such as Energy and Commerce, hold enough of a GOP majority that they could withstand a defection or two. Nonetheless, party leaders will encounter significant challenges in bringing the legislation to the House floor, as various factions within the conference will strive to incorporate provisions related to the state and local tax deduction while others may prioritize avoiding cuts to SNAP or Medicaid.
These factions may unite and threaten to oppose the legislation if it fails to align with their priorities.
Some Republicans representing purple districts have publicly committed to maintaining social spending programs as part of the megabill; however, many experts believe that the House GOP must identify cuts to finance the package, potentially jeopardizing some Medicaid funding. Republicans are also banking on the notion that a permanent extension of the 2017 tax cuts will resonate favorably with the public, alongside other Trump initiatives like exempting tips from income tax.
While Democrats have included accusations about threats to Social Security in their messaging surrounding the domestic policy package—drawing attention to agency cuts instituted by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—the proposed legislation does not affect that program or Medicare.
“All national Democrats have are pathetic lies and fear-mongering tactics to distract from their failures,” remarked NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella. “They were already forced to take down their dishonest Medicaid ads across the country because Americans know they’re full of crap.”
Nonetheless, Democrats view potential changes to Medicaid as a significant issue to spotlight against Republicans, particularly after its expansion under the Affordable Care Act led to increased enrollment.
“The [Energy and Commerce] markup is put-up-or-shut-up time for Republicans who say they won’t cut Medicaid. Trump has said he doesn’t want this to be a health care bill, but when you gut Medicaid, you make it a health care bill,” asserted Rep. Scott Peters, a committee member. “Even Donald Trump knows that’s not a fight worth picking.”
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
In the coming week, GOP lawmakers will begin to unveil segments of the proposed megabill, with House committees scheduled to conduct meetings to advance specific elements. Speaker Mike Johnson has established an assertive Memorial Day deadline for the bill’s finalization in the chamber.
On the other side, Democrats are strategizing a committee-by-committee battle over the bill’s drafting. They plan to orchestrate a multitude of votes, aiming to put vulnerable House Republicans on the record regarding some of the more contentious aspects of the GOP agenda. They are particularly concerned about potential changes to Medicaid in the Energy and Commerce Committee and alterations to food assistance in the Agriculture Committee, as well as tax provisions under consideration in Ways and Means.
The belief is that the introduction of concrete proposals will enhance the impact of Democratic critiques of the GOP agenda. Already, party campaign committees and aligned organizations have been working to frame the narrative by accusing Republicans of targeting Medicaid, though the GOP has countered these claims by asserting that no such cuts have been proposed. Recently, the NRCC was successful in removing some billboards related to this discussion.
“They won't have anywhere to hide” once legislation emerges, said Anne Shoup, a senior adviser to Protect Our Care, a well-funded organization fighting against the GOP bill. “We know how important the next couple weeks are in this fight, and we're going to ramp up and really take it to the Republicans.”
“They’re writing the playbook for Democrats to take back the House in 2026,” added House Majority PAC spokesperson Katarina Flicker.
Democratic officials are essentially revisiting the strategy that helped them reclaim control of the House in the wake of the 2018 midterms, during which they targeted Republicans for months over their votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act and for passing tax cuts that primarily benefit wealthy Americans—measures that Hill Republicans are currently seeking to extend.
The recent two-week congressional recess provided a glimpse of this familiar messaging, with Democrats engaging in a coordinated effort focused on Medicaid and Social Security through town halls in GOP districts where they emphasized economic issues.
While Republicans can pass the megabill independently, assuming party unity, they plan to implement special procedures to circumvent a Senate filibuster, thereby not requiring any Democratic votes. However, Democrats are committed to making the GOP pay for their decisions.
“If House Republicans push ahead with their plan to gut Medicaid and rip health care away from millions of Americans just to fund another tax cut for their billionaire donors like Elon Musk, Democrats will fight them every step of the way — and we’ll make it as painful as possible,” stated Rep. Lori Trahan, a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Democrats are also considering tactics to put members from purple districts serving on key committees in challenging positions. Notable targets include Reps. Tom Kean, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Gabe Evans, who serve on Energy and Commerce and may need to vote on proposed changes to Medicaid reimbursement rates. In the Agriculture Committee, swing-district Reps. Don Bacon, Derek Van Orden, and Zach Nunn could be scrutinized over potential cuts to SNAP, the food aid program.
Republicans are anticipated to unite in defeating Democratic amendments in committee. Some committees, such as Energy and Commerce, hold enough of a GOP majority that they could withstand a defection or two. Nonetheless, party leaders will encounter significant challenges in bringing the legislation to the House floor, as various factions within the conference will strive to incorporate provisions related to the state and local tax deduction while others may prioritize avoiding cuts to SNAP or Medicaid.
These factions may unite and threaten to oppose the legislation if it fails to align with their priorities.
Some Republicans representing purple districts have publicly committed to maintaining social spending programs as part of the megabill; however, many experts believe that the House GOP must identify cuts to finance the package, potentially jeopardizing some Medicaid funding. Republicans are also banking on the notion that a permanent extension of the 2017 tax cuts will resonate favorably with the public, alongside other Trump initiatives like exempting tips from income tax.
While Democrats have included accusations about threats to Social Security in their messaging surrounding the domestic policy package—drawing attention to agency cuts instituted by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—the proposed legislation does not affect that program or Medicare.
“All national Democrats have are pathetic lies and fear-mongering tactics to distract from their failures,” remarked NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella. “They were already forced to take down their dishonest Medicaid ads across the country because Americans know they’re full of crap.”
Nonetheless, Democrats view potential changes to Medicaid as a significant issue to spotlight against Republicans, particularly after its expansion under the Affordable Care Act led to increased enrollment.
“The [Energy and Commerce] markup is put-up-or-shut-up time for Republicans who say they won’t cut Medicaid. Trump has said he doesn’t want this to be a health care bill, but when you gut Medicaid, you make it a health care bill,” asserted Rep. Scott Peters, a committee member. “Even Donald Trump knows that’s not a fight worth picking.”
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
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