3rd Republican Backstabs Trump
North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis (R) is taking a bold stand against the Republican-led Senate megabill designed to implement President Trump’s America First agenda—sounding the alarm over what he calls devastating cuts to Medicaid that could hurt seniors and working families.
After meeting with GOP leadership behind closed doors Saturday, Tillis made it clear: he’s voting no. Not just once—but twice.
“The data hasn’t changed. I’m still a no,” he said firmly.
Tillis is urging his Senate colleagues to abandon the proposed Medicaid tax cap cuts and instead return to the more measured—and Trump-aligned—House version of the bill. That House plan protects federal Medicaid funding while still delivering conservative reforms.
🔧 Conservatives Say Senate Plan Goes Too Far
Tillis isn’t the only Republican hitting the brakes. Sens. Rand Paul (KY) and Ron Johnson (WI) have also pledged to oppose the current bill, citing serious concerns over spending, transparency, and the $5 trillion debt ceiling hike buried deep in the legislation.
That means Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is running out of wiggle room—just three GOP defections will sink the bill, even with Vice President JD Vance available to break a tie.
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), considered a key swing vote, said she’ll vote to start debate—but that’s as far as she’ll go for now.
“I want to make changes. I’m not promising anything on final passage,” Collins told reporters.
💡 What’s Actually in the Bill?
The Senate version includes a phased reduction in the healthcare provider tax cap—from 6% to 3.5% over the next several years. Critics say this will slash funding for Medicaid in a way that disproportionately harms conservative states and senior care programs.
States rely on these provider taxes to draw down matching federal dollars. Lowering the cap, according to Tillis and other critics, would cripple state budgets and undermine Trump-era healthcare flexibility.
The House version—which Tillis supports—would block states that expanded Medicaid under Obamacare from raising these taxes further, while barring new taxes in states that didn’t expand.
⚠️ “We Need Real Debate—Not Pelosi Tactics”
Senator Ron Johnson blasted the rushed process during an appearance on Fox & Friends Weekend.
“We just got this bill at 1:23 a.m. this morning. There’s no full budget score. This is Pelosi-style legislating,” Johnson warned.
Likewise, Senator Paul says he won’t support any legislation that raises the national debt by another $5 trillion—a red line for conservatives focused on fiscal sanity and future generations.
“We’re not going to pass it to find out what’s in it,” Paul said, referencing the infamous Pelosi quote.
📌 Bottom Line for Conservatives
With top Republican senators like Tillis, Paul, and Johnson drawing the line on reckless spending and Medicaid cuts, the Senate GOP megabill is in serious trouble. Conservatives across the country are rallying behind these lawmakers who refuse to cave on core principles like responsible healthcare reform, debt control, and transparency.
This isn’t just a legislative fight—it’s a battle over the future of Trump’s America First movement in Congress.
