Context:

A tense and chaotic session unfolded as a House committee debated proposed Medicaid cuts, a key element of President Trump's domestic agenda. This session, led by Representative Brett Guthrie, was marked by protests and disruptions, highlighting the controversial nature of the proposed $912 billion federal spending reduction, which could see 8.6 million people become uninsured. Democrats challenged the cuts, arguing they would harm vulnerable populations, while Republicans defended them as necessary for curbing Medicaid costs. Additional drama stemmed from debates over the language used in the session, with accusations of dishonesty and misinformation flying between parties. Meanwhile, the House Ways and Means Committee discussed a tax proposal extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts and Democrats unsuccessfully attempted to make certain health care subsidies permanent to prevent millions from losing insurance coverage.

Dive Deeper:

• Representative Brett Guthrie opened a contentious House committee session to consider Medicaid cuts, which are part of a broader Republican domestic policy bill, but the session was quickly disrupted by protesters demanding protection for Medicaid.

• Protesters interrupted the proceedings, leading to the arrest of 26 people, as the committee faced a potentially 28-hour long debate over the bill that includes significant Medicaid cuts and changes to the Affordable Care Act.

• The proposed bill aims to slash federal spending by $912 billion and could result in 8.6 million people losing insurance; it introduces stricter paperwork and a work requirement for certain Medicaid recipients, set to begin in 2029.

• Democrats on the committee presented personal stories of constituents reliant on Medicaid, arguing against the cuts, while Republicans accused Democrats of misrepresenting the impact of the proposed changes.

• Parallel to the Medicaid debate, the House Ways and Means Committee examined a $2.5 trillion tax proposal that seeks to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts while Democrats failed to secure a permanent extension of health insurance subsidies.

• The session saw heated exchanges over the use of the term 'lying,' with both parties accusing each other of spreading misinformation and inflating the potential impacts of the Medicaid cuts.

• Protests outside the hearing room included demonstrators supporting Medicaid and Planned Parenthood, emphasizing the public's strong emotions and concerns over losing healthcare coverage.