A House budget bill with sweeping Medicaid cuts passed Thursday, and Rep. Jen Kiggans’ vote bolstered the slim 215-to-214 margin.
An analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that millions of low-income Americans could lose benefits and food assistance as a result. President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have lauded the “big, beautiful” bill as a way to save money. The bill proposes cutting anti-poverty programs, expanding tax breaks and funneling money toward defense spending.
About 250,000 Virginians could lose access to Medicaid under the bill, according to the health policy research organization KFF.
Kiggans signed a letter in April with 11 other Republican representatives opposing the cuts.
“Balancing the federal budget must not come at the expense of those who depend on these benefits for their health and economic security,” the letter said.
Rep. Rob Wittman also signed the letter but later voted for the bill.
A news release from Kiggans’ office said her background as a nurse practitioner led her to support accessible and affordable healthcare.
A few dozen protesters gathered in the rain Wednesday at Kiggans’ office in Town Center in Virginia Beach, asking her to oppose the vote.
“It needs to be action. We’ll see if she actually stands with her constituents or not once it’s up for a vote,” said Amanda Pittman on Wednesday. Pittman is the communications director for Affordable Virginia.
Pittman said many clinics rely on Medicaid funding to provide services to everyone, regardless of insurance coverage.
Kiggans released a statement Thursday explaining why she voted for the bill. “It reflects the priorities of the 119th Congress: reducing the size of government, cutting wasteful spending, and protecting tax relief for working families,” it read.
In the statement, Kiggans said the bill strengthens Medicaid and food assistance by reducing waste and fraud and introducing work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents.
Johnson campaigned among House Republicans to sway many to the vote. Democrats have indicated they’ll use the vote as a line of attack in campaigns. That may leave some House Republicans representing swing districts vulnerable in the coming elections. The bill is headed to the Senate next, where it seems it will face significant changes from Senate Republicans, who are more skeptical of it.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a letter with 19 Republican governors supporting the bill. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger condemned the bill in a tweet, and Republican candidate Winsome Earl-Sears refrained from weighing in.
