Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is under fire for reportedly downplaying the impact of steep Medicaid cuts included in the GOP’s proposed budget, telling fellow Republicans behind closed doors that constituents “will get over it.”
The comments came during a private Senate GOP caucus meeting as lawmakers rallied around what President Donald Trump has dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping budget proposal that slashes Medicaid by an estimated $793 billion over the next ten years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The CBO projects the cuts could remove more than 10 million Americans from the program.
“Failure is not an option,” McConnell told colleagues, according to sources familiar with the meeting. “I know a lot of us are hearing from people back home about Medicaid. But they’ll get over it.”
Though the remarks were not officially recorded, McConnell’s office has not denied the statement. A spokesperson for the senator later claimed he was referring specifically to “able-bodied individuals who should be working instead of relying on Medicaid.”
Democrats quickly seized on the comment. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) posted on X, “That’s the closing message from Senate Republicans before they vote to take away health care from millions of Americans – all to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Unbelievable.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) also responded sharply, saying, “These Medicaid cuts will kick 16 million Americans off their health care, close rural hospitals, force people to drive hours just to see a doctor, and gut long-term care for our seniors. No, Sen. McConnell—our people will not ‘get over it.’”
The Medicaid rollback has become one of the most controversial aspects of the GOP budget, which remains on track for passage despite fierce opposition from Democrats, who currently lack the votes to block it.
The controversy follows another flashpoint in May, when Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) responded to a concerned constituent during a town hall who warned the cuts could result in preventable deaths. Ernst replied: “Well, we all are going to die.” Her comment drew immediate backlash online.
Despite the growing uproar, Republican leaders appear determined to move forward with the bill, arguing it reins in entitlement spending and encourages self-sufficiency. Critics, however, say the proposal jeopardizes health care access for millions and prioritizes tax breaks for the wealthy at the expense of the nation’s most vulnerable.
