Republican Strategist Labels Democrat a “Liar” Over Medicaid Claims
On Wednesday night, Republican strategist Scott Jennings accused New York Democrat Richie Torres of being a “liar” after Torres maintained that illegal immigrants would not qualify for Medicaid, during a CNN appearance.
A June 24 statement from the House Budget Committee referenced a report by the Congressional Budget Office. It indicated that under President Donald Trump’s administration, around 1.4 million undocumented immigrants would be removed from the Medicaid program by a bill signed on July 4th. Jennings pointed out that it’s not unpopular to reform eligibility requirements to focus on helping those in need while preventing undocumented individuals from accessing welfare benefits.
Republican lawmakers have also introduced work requirements for healthy adults in their Medicaid package, aiming to ensure that illegal immigrants do not benefit from the program.
Responding to Jennings, Torres stated, “That’s exactly the truth. It’s exactly what’s in the bill,” but Jennings asserted that federal law prohibits undocumented immigration. He questioned, “So why do you have 1.4 million people? Why is that?” Torres countered, suggesting Jennings was merely imagining scenarios.
Jennings defended his stance, referencing the Congressional Budget Office’s findings. The discussion featured plenty of back and forth, with Jennings insisting on his viewpoint despite attempts by Torres to clarify the facts.
No, it’s not true, Torres replied. Jennings remained adamant, calling Torres a liar multiple times, especially as CNN’s Abby Phillip attempted to intervene.
Meanwhile, the settlement package, enacted by Trump in 2017, has significantly cut funding for green energy initiatives. Some experts on the left believe that current legislative developments might influence the 2026 midterm elections.
In an interview with the Daily Caller News Foundation, Texas Republican Rep. Geordy Arlington praised the recent legislative moves, arguing they would be beneficial for Americans. “It’s beautiful because Americans can keep more money in their pockets,” Arlington mentioned, emphasizing the need for relief amidst rising living costs.