Police Eject Wheelchair Protesters From House Medicaid Committee Meeting

Disability rights protesters, including individuals in wheelchairs, clashed with Republican lawmakers during a House Energy & Commerce Committee markup of a Medicaid bill, leading to police forcibly removing several advocates. Protesters vocally opposed the legislation, warning it would harm people with disabilities, despite Republican assurances that eligible recipients would not lose coverage. The bill includes a requirement that able-bodied adults without dependents must complete 80 hours of work, community service, or education to qualify for Medicaid, a provision criticized by activists. Meanwhile, Democratic Senators Booker, Smith, and Schatz publicly protested the cuts by delivering constituent letters, emphasizing the potential loss of health insurance for nearly 14 million people. Moderate House Republicans have expressed concern about the Medicaid reductions but are under pressure from party leadership, while opposition in the Senate from some Republicans offers a possible avenue to block the cuts. The controversy reflects broader tensions over proposed spending reductions tied to unlocking significant tax cuts under the current House budget resolution.