Republican strategist Scott Jennings called Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York a “liar” Wednesday night after Torres claimed illegal immigrants don’t receive Medicaid during a CNN appearance.
A June 24 statement by the House Budget Committee, citing an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, noted that 1.4 million illegal immigrants would be removed from the program under the reconciliation bill President Donald Trump signed on July 4. Jennings was explaining the reform provisions in the reconciliation bill when Torres inserted himself into the conversation.
“I don’t think it’s unpopular at all to try to reform an entitlement program, to save it for the people who need it, to keep illegal aliens from getting welfare benefits they shouldn’t be getting, to encourage people to go to work. I don’t think these things should be shied away from by Republicans,” Jennings said, with Torres responding, “None of that is true. First of all, I think Medicaid —”
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Republicans in Congress added to add work requirements for able-bodied adults to Medicaid in the reconciliation package while also adding measures to keep illegal immigrants from benefitting from the program.
“It’s exactly true. It’s exactly what’s in the bill,” Jennings responded, with Torres claiming, “It’s not true. Federal law prohibits undocumented immigrants —”
“Then why are 1.4 million on it? Why are —” Jennings asked, before Torres interrupted with, “That’s a figment of your imagination.”
“It’s a figment of the CBO’s documents,” Jennings shot back.
After a further back and forth, with Torres talking down to Jennings by offering to “explain the facts” to the CNN commentator, Jennings pushed back.
“You are lying. Literally lying,” Jennings said, with Torres responding, “No, that is not — it is not true.”
After “CNN NewsNight” host Abby Phillip tried to step in, Jennings doubled down.
“Lie,” Jennings said. “Liar.”
The reconciliation package made the tax cuts enacted by Trump in 2017 permanent, while also slashing a lot of subsidies for so-called “green energy” programs. Some left-wing pundits have argued that passage of the legislation hints that the 2026 midterm elections are being rigged.
Republican Rep. Jodey Arrington of Texas hailed the legislation’s passage in an interview with the Daily Caller News Foundation, saying it would help Americans
“It’s ‘beautiful’ because it is going to allow Americans to keep more money in their pockets,” Arrington told the DCNF. “After the last few years of a cost of living crisis, they desperately need more money to pay their bills and provide for their families.”
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