Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett’s Tense Exchange on Medicaid Bill

Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett had a heated discussion with Brianna Keilar, the guest host on “OutFront,” regarding the recently proposed settlement bill. The House approved the bill early Thursday morning, passing it by a vote of 219-213 despite resistance from multiple Republicans.

Keilar challenged Burchett over Medicaid reforms, arguing that they could potentially strip millions of Americans of their health insurance, referencing the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for support. “The CBO has been quite respected over the years,” Keilar stated, explaining their estimates on how many would lose healthcare as a result of the proposed changes.

Burchett responded defensively, asserting, “No, ma’am. If you want to edit the narrative, you don’t need me here.” His tone suggested frustration, even as he attempted to clarify his perspective.

On a separate note, Abby Phillip of “CNN Newsnight” mentioned Burchett’s earlier comments where he labeled the CBO as a “partisan organization” in relation to the settlement bill. Burchett maintained that he wanted transparency regarding the economic implications of bills, insisting the CBO was the only body to provide such insights. He expressed disbelief at the media’s reluctance to demand clear records on legislative spending.

“The issue with this bill is that it’s out of touch with what Americans need,” Burchett stated, emphasizing that hardworking citizens should have more choices. He argued that the CBO’s assessment had become politicized and that American taxpayers deserved to understand government spending without bias.

Keilar countered by claiming that CNN had adequately reported on the issue, pushing Burchett to explain his reasons for supporting the bill. Burchett retorted that those opposing it were creating unnecessary panic, insisting, “You’re talking about people who are not playing by the rules.” He felt the portrayal of the bill was distorted and that he was serving the interests of the country.

The CBO’s estimate suggested that nearly 11 million people could lose Medicaid by 2034, with a significant number failing to meet new work requirements. This sparked further debate, as Burchett maintained that the bill’s critics were misleading the public.