Mike Johnson's "prayer request": A GOP budget that slashes Medicaid to pay for Trump's tax cuts

[riversedge]

Source: salon.com



House Speaker Mike Johnson asked supporters to pray for a budget proposal that would slash social welfare spending

By Russell Payne February 25, 2025 5:15AM (EST)


With House Republicans discussing major reductions in Medicaid spending, Democrats — who have been largely cut out of the budget process — are bracing to fight against the anticipated cuts in committees and on the floor of Congress, potentially aided by cracks forming in the GOP caucus over how far to go to pay for President Donald Trump's mass deportations and tax cuts for the wealthy.

The House is expected to vote on its budget blueprint as early as Tuesday. House Republican leadership has proposed some $880 billion in cuts from programs managed by the Energy and Commerce Committee; $230 billion in cuts from programs managed by the Agriculture Committee; and $330 billion in cuts from programs managed by the Education and Workforce Committee. In total, such deep cuts would necessarily mean slashing Medicaid, SNAP benefits and other services.


The cuts are intended to pay for the extension of Trump's 2017 tax cuts, which disproportionately benefit corporations and wealthy Americans. Those and other tax cuts under consideration could cost as much as $11.2 trillion in lost federal revenue over 10 years, according to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

The House is expected to vote on this budget blueprint Tuesday, which will officially kick off the budget process in the House if Republicans manage to push it through.

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“This is a prayer request. Just pray this through for us, because it is very high stakes,” Johnson said at an Americans For Prosperity event. “The thing about having a small majority is it brings great clarity. It’s clarifying. I don’t think anybody wants to be in front of this train.”.......................

Read more: https://www.salon.com/2025/02/25/mike-johnsons-prayer-request-a-budget-that-slashes-medicaid-to-pay-for-cuts/

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There is a meanness to Johnson that is dangerous to ALL of us.

Link to tweet

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) departs a House Republican Conference Meeting at the U.S. Capitol on February 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

[JohnSJ]

1. and yet these so-called politicians like to wear their "christianity" on their sleeve proclaiming how "morally superior"

Last edited Tue Feb 25, 2025, 11:10 AM - Edit history (1)

they are.

For such self-proclaimed "devout christian", he sure works overtime to inflict pain and suffering on the most vulnerable in our society.

What phony, hypocritical bastards they are.

[bluestarone]

21. 100% true!

[C_U_L8R]

2. What evil beast does he pray to?

Oh yeah, Trump.

[riversedge]

3. Trump as a BEAST!! LOVE IT!!

[underpants]

4. So that's about $1.4 Trillion per year

Over 10 years that covers the unneeded (as they are structured) tax cuts but what’s the actual cost? Every dollar rolls over 6 times. It depends on what industry as to how it rolls over.

[markodochartaigh]

16. That's the velocity of money.

Government spending which goes to workers gets spent into the economy at a very high rate, and the money that is spent supports more spending and on and on.
But money which goes to our oiligarchs, especially in the form of tax cuts goes much more to savings, often in banks overseas, which reduces the turnover that the money would have had in the economy. To channel Ross Perot, it's like a giant sucking sound out of the economy. It's like the austerity which slows recovery after a recession. It's great for the 0.01% though. It gives them time for the dust to settle to pick among the ruins for gems to buy with their hoarded cash.

[underpants]

23. Speaking of austerity

“austerity” is a fancy name for social programs and retirement as you know. England learned cutting those took a nice big bite out of their economy. A lot of businesses are counting on that money being spent.

There’s been absolutely no cost benefit analysis in this at all.

[SWBTATTReg]

50. Yes, you're right, the 1% doesn't spend money like the rest of us, thus, the velocity of money slows down a lot,

and doesn't get spend like other free dollars in the Economy.

And what's so ironic, is that the republicans keep touting these tax cuts as being the elixir for boosting the economy, when it really doesn't, IMHO. It gets parked into a 1%er's massive savings like the other money they have hogged, and the tax savings/money doesn't see the light of day, unless it's to buy up yet another asset for them to park yet more of their savings somewhere (and not in our pockets). In short, the velocity of money slows down massively.

Doesn't anyone in the repug camp know anything about Economics? I went and got two economic degrees while in college and this is basic science. Tax cuts also doesn't get into government hands where it's spent either (e.g. roads, infrastructure, you name it). If you want to stimulate the Economy, stimulate it by spreading it among many different hands, where's it is more likely to be spent, and not hoarded. Build more infrastructure.

It's kind of like a black hole, where the money that the 1%ers have just sits there and doesn't stimulate the economy as much.

[markodochartaigh]

53. I think that the Republican politicians

generally understand basic economic principles like this very well. And they know that few people in the electorate have any understanding at all. The Republican politicians are absolutely shameless in lying to we the hoi-polloi.

[GiqueCee]

5. There is...

... a particularly deep and noisome pit in Hell awaiting this evil little bastard. The deity to whom he prays will welcome him with open claws, and a leer dripping with the blood of American workers he betrayed. There shall be no mercy for this rancid meat-sock of sewer sludge.

[Vinca]

6. So much for all that Jesus-y stuff like feeding the poor.

[Deuxcents]

52. He's a confessed Christian but has completely forgotten the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12

He also taught us how to pray and it surly was not to get a big win for personal gain. Hypocrite.

[COL Mustard]

55. That's woke!

It amazes me to hear people describe the actual teachings of Jesus as woke. He was compassionate and caring; things they are clearly not.

[Martin Eden]

7. "I don't think anybody wants to be in front of this train"

Last edited Tue Feb 25, 2025, 11:24 AM - Edit history (1)

The devout "Christian" issues a not thinly veiled threat to members of his own party who might be inclined to vote against a budget that comforts the rich, hurts the sick and the poor, while still adding $trillions to the national debt.

[sinkingfeeling]

8. If there really is a god, why hasn't he sent a bolt of lightning

to stop this train?

[pandr32]

30. You answered your own question.

[Marthe48]

9. The filthy rich have been blessed enough

they don't need more, and the rest of us don't need less.
venal, repugnant, evil

[hadEnuf]

10. Praying for more riches for the ultra-rich.

What a sick little bastard. But he is a symptom of the entire party.

Johnson and the right wingers are religious phonies.

[milestogo]

11. We will pray that you actually discover Jesus and what he taught.

I know it will be a shocker.

[MLWR]

12. Moses Mike is such a great christian.

He just doesn't believe in the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. He prefers donald john trump.

[mdbl]

34. His middle name isn't Jessica?

[surfered]

13. Lord, help us cut healthcare for the sick and food assistance for the hungry so we can give money to the rich.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

[Bettie]

14. So, obviously, Christianity has a whole different message from

when I was a child and went to church.

Because it seems that Johnson's brand has, as its main centerpiece, letting children starve and causing harm to as many people as possible, while giving all money to the very wealthy as they are, apparently, "god" now?

Or...they are using religion as another word for overwhelming greed and hate.

So, has that whole bible part been replaced with Ayn Rand?

[Hekate]

40. Ayn Rand, definitely the unholy prophecies of Ayn Rand

[barbtries]

15. pure slime.

he makes me shudder.

[Hekate]

41. It's that manifest quality that led me to call him Li'l Pervy from the outset

[travelingthrulife]

17. Worst christians ever.

[AllaN01Bear]

18. the rs hide behind the flag, the bible and the constitution , when cornered they come out swinging oh i f

forgot , they also go sputter sputt sputt. via my late mom

[bronxiteforever]

19. GOP Jesus

[AmericaUnderSiege]

20. Same old GOP smash-and-grab robbery, rich taking from everyone else. This is their creed.

A Republican's only God is what they see in the mirror. Their only country is the pretty lawn they bought by starving the children they forced helpless poor women to give birth to.

[jmowreader]

22. I'm reminded here of the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

Jesus sent straight to Hell all the people who were acting like Speaker Johnson is now.

[SpankMe]

24. It's amazing how upside-down the Christian right is these days. n/t

[LaRaven]

25. AHEM...and what about the tax exemption for churches?

Shouldn't they sacrifice and pay their fair share to the govt. since they are promoting their agendas on us all. The Christian Nationalist are also in this mess. JEEBUS

[Martin68]

26. I wonder what percent of Medicaid recipients re Trump supporters. I imagine it's rather high.

[Figarosmom]

27. Heres his prayer

Middle finger projected up and high.

[republianmushroom]

28. Well mine are not being answered.

Why should Mikes ? If my prayers are answered there will be no need for Mikes to be answered.

[bmichaelh]

29. Alternative definition of their religion

By their actions, they have abandoned teachings of Christ long ago.
Some of that group think Christ's Sermon on the Mount is too woke.

Per Bierce's A Devil's Dictionary.

Mammon -n
The god of the world's leading religion. The chief temple is in the holy city of New York.

[JohnnyRingo]

31. He has a lot of nerve.

That was the worst thing my late mother used to say about people.
It's appropriate.

[Akoto]

32. Great. I'm disabled, reliant upon SSI/Medicaid/SNAP and barely make it as is. n/t

[IcyPeas]

33. Hakeem Jeffries:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGgXdA1JR-3/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

[JoseBalow]

35. Prayers only work if you blow out all the candles in one breath

[Hekate]

36. Li'l Pervy, that Bible-thumping hypocrite

[durablend]

37. Supply SIde Jesus Needs Tax Cuts

[Daleuhlmann]

38. "MAGA Mike" Is No Christian, Only a "CRINO," or "Christian in Name Only"

Johnson committed blasphemy in praying for the passage of Trump's "one big, beautiful bill." No true Christian would be in a favor of a budget bill that guts funding for Medicaid for poor people, as well as for other needy social programs for families and children, in order to pay for tax cuts to the wealthy.

[3825-87867]

42. Almost, but not quite...

Take the "C" away and substitute an "X" and you have Xtian or X-tian if you prefer.
As in Mike is an Xtian. He's x-ed out Christ. (and this is coming from an atheist!)

[Karasu]

39. Such Jesus. Much Christian. Very prayerful. Wow.

[Godot51]

43. "Prayer"...

From too many headlines I'm reading, the republican "plan" for helping any human, anywhere, in any way is "prayer".

[James48]

44. Dear God- hear my prayer

I pray that FOUR of the House GOP Congressmen all take a flight together
On a Boeing 737 Max, and fly into Washington DC airport, , all at the same time, die in a flurry of
Burnt molten aluminum on the tarmac.

I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

[jls4561]

46. The Lord wants to know..Is it Okay with you if I are one of your four is MTG?

She’s waiting to hear back from you.

[Evolve Dammit]

45. What a fraud. They are not Christians. They are fascist bootlickers who only covet power over others.

[Clouds Passing]

47. POS antichrist evil doer

[turbinetree]

48. Hey Johnson how many of your constituents are on Medicaid in your state............

what happens if they show up at your door..................are you going to ask Hedgseth to send the military in...............since he just fired the three Judge Advocate Generals.............to cover his ass and that orange hair traitors ass and your spineless ass by declaring martial law..............because it is coming...............

[Skittles]

49. more proof his "faith" is a bunch of bullshit

as if any more was needed........

[Blue Owl]

51. Fuck this fucking fuck

[Ocelot II]

54. Whoever he's praying to, it sure isn't Jesus.

[RazorbackExpat]

56. Yeah, it sounds more like that guy

who tempted Jesus in the desert

[artemisia1]

57. Yes, because denying life-saving medical care to citizens so that the wealthiest can buy a bigger yacht is in keeping

with the teachings of Christ in the Gospels. (SARCASM)