McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, says $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts and $500 billion in Medicare spending are main issues dividing political parties over a threatened government shutdown at midnight.
During a call with reporters on Tuesday morning, Cuellar criticized Republicans for not being on Capitol Hill and said they were instead taking “a vacation” after House Speaker Mike Johnson recessed the chamber until Wednesday.
Cuellar whose South Texas border district spans from Laredo to Starr County, said he was in his Washington, D.C., office along with other House Democrats who returned to the Capitol during the recess to pressure GOP leaders to negotiate a bipartisan government funding bill.
“Myself and other Democrats, we’re here to find a compromise, to find a way forward where Democrats and Republicans work together, and where we put country before party,” said Cuellar, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee.
Source: Cuellar: Cuts to Medicaid, Medicare at stake over looming government shutdown / Concho Valley