Hardline conservative Republican lawmakers met with House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday to discuss the budget resolution’s spending cuts, seeking to get assurances ahead of the House Budget Committee’s markup of the resolution on Thursday.
House Freedom Caucus member Rep. Ralph Norman, a South Carolina Republican, left the roughly hour-long meeting, stating that he will support the budget plan 'as long as we mark it up like we talked about just in there.' Norman, who also sits on the Budget Committee, expressed encouragement following the meeting.
The House plan aims for at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, with a target of $2 trillion. Failure to reach the $2 trillion goal would necessitate lawmakers to cut $500 billion from their tax plans.
Norman mentioned discussions on potential scenarios if the resolution falls short of the $2 trillion cut goal. He proposed adjustments to Medicaid, suggesting the inclusion of work requirements for the health insurance program designed for individuals with low income.
Another member of the Freedom Caucus, GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, who has advocated for more spending cuts, left the speaker’s office swiftly, declining to respond to inquiries about the meeting.
