Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced a new bill Tuesday to repeal some of the Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," despite having voted for the legislation earlier this month.
In a statement, he said: "Now is the time to prevent any future cuts to Medicaid from going into effect."
"Under the recent reconciliation bill, Missouri will see an extra $1 billion for hospitals over the next four years. I want to see Medicaid reductions stopped and rural hospitals fully funded permanently," he added.
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Social media users — including journalists and Democratic lawmakers — criticized Hawley’s move, questioning why he voted for the legislation in the first place when he knew it would cut Medicaid.
Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) wrote on the social platform X: "First, Josh Hawley talked about not wanting to cut Medicaid. Then, when the billionaires needed his vote, he voted to cut Medicaid. Now that the Medicaid cuts are passed, he's back to talking about not wanting to cut Medicaid. He's full of s---."
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) said in a post: "Trump and many House Republicans falsely claim the cuts to Medicaid they voted for in the Big Ugly Bill were not actually cuts to Medicaid. How do you know Trump and House Republicans are lying? Because GOP Sen Josh Hawley just introduced a bill to reverse the cuts to Medicaid."
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) said: "A Republican Senator just introduced a bill to repeal parts of the reconciliation package he voted for two weeks ago—and, with zero shame, named it the Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act."
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He continued: "Despite their lies, Republicans knew exactly what they were doing when they voted to slash $1 trillion from Medicaid. They knew it would strip coverage from millions and devastate hospitals, nursing homes, and community health centers. Sorry, @SenHawleyPress—the time to act was two weeks ago, when you rubber-stamped this cruelty into law."
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) said: "Josh Hawley set the house on fire and now wants to play firefighter."
Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.) wrote: "Tells you just how bad their #ReverseRobinHood law is… Senator Hawley voted FOR these Medicaid cuts less than two weeks ago!"
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) wrote: "Just so I’m clear… he’s introducing a bill….to repeal the bill… he voted for….two weeks ago?"
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