Republican Rep. David Valadao of Kings County grapples with the political fallout of supporting Trump's budget plan that could result in draconian cuts to Medicaid. (GV Wire/Taub)
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Rep. David Valadao (R-Kings County) finds himself in a precarious position as President Trump pushes for budget cuts that could impact Medicaid, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Valadao represents a district where two-thirds of residents rely on Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. However, he voted for a budget resolution that may lead to significant cuts.
Despite acknowledging constituents’ concerns, Valadao said in a speech on the House floor, “I will not support a final reconciliation bill that risks leaving them behind.”
He urged leadership to work on a final product that strengthens critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
Central Valley Residents Alarmed
The potential cuts have alarmed residents in Valadao’s Central Valley district, where health issues are prevalent. Kelly Kulzer-Reyes, co-founder of the Kern Down Syndrome Network, expressed her fears: “I’ve never been as scared as I am right now.”
Democrats are seizing on Valadao’s vote, with attack ads already running in his district. Justin Chermol, a DCCC spokesperson, stated, “David Valadao will regret betraying Central Valley families by voting to gut Medicaid in order to fund massive tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations.”
Related Story: DACA Reform Gains Momentum. Valadao Says Program Fix Needed.
Budget Resolution’s Impact on Healthcare Programs
While Republican leaders insist the resolution doesn’t explicitly mention Medicaid cuts, the Congressional Budget Office reports it would be impossible to meet the required savings without affecting Medicaid, Medicare, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Valadao’s political future may hinge on how he navigates this issue. As Matt Herdman of Protect Our Care predicts, “If David Valadao votes to cut Medicaid, it will be the single largest issue to cause his defeat in 2026.”
