Trump's plan hits barrier in Congress

GOP hardliners want deeper Medicaid cuts

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A Republican push to advance US President Donald Trump's sweeping tax bill through Congress appeared to hit a roadblock on Thursday, as hardline conservatives demanded deeper cuts to Medicaid in exchange for their support in a key procedural vote.

House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington warned that the vote, planned for yesterday, could be delayed due to opposition to the measure, which could add trillions to the nation’s $36.2 trillion in debt over the next decade.

“There are concerns about having to get more information, which would potentially delay this to next week,” Rep Arrington, of Texas, told reporters.

He later issued a statement saying he was confident that Republicans on his committee would advance the legislation, even though at least four hardliners had threatened to block it. There was no indication late on Thursday that their positions had changed.