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By Dan Gooding and Hannah Parry
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Police have ejected at least protesters, including three in wheelchairs, from the first few minutes of a House committee meeting on proposed changes to Medicaid.
Demonstrators were heard chanting "No cuts to Medicaid" as they were escorted out of the Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on Tuesday. The United States Capitol Police told Newsweek that officers arrested 25 people.
The committee is overseeing some of the $800 million in cuts to federal programs.
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Why It Matters
Republicans in Congress are working through President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill," a budget resolution designed to help deliver his policy priorities. However, Democrats, advocacy groups, and some GOP members have raised concerns about cuts to health care programs.
What To Know
As the House committee hearing got underway Tuesday afternoon, protesters were heard chanting before appearing in front of the members' bench. Those in wheelchairs were being pushed by U.S. Capitol Police officers.
Chairman Brett Guthrie, a Republican from Kentucky, tried to get the protesters to quiet down, but his calls went unheard despite his warning that they could be arrested.
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Committee member Frank Pallone, a New Jersey Democrat, said he understood the protesters because they were worried about losing their health care.
Trump has been a longtime critic of Medicaid and has alleged that the system has been abused in the past. Nearly 80 million Americans rely on Medicaid, while another 80 million are on Medicare.
The GOP is looking to offer around $5 trillion in tax breaks by reducing tax spending on areas such as green energy and health.
Republican Josh Hawley warned earlier this week that his party was putting itself at risk by potentially turning its back on the working-class voters who helped to elect Trump, because of his promises to help them.
What People Are Saying
U.S. Capitol Police, in a statement to Newsweek: "Around 2 p.m., 25 people were arrested for illegally demonstrating in the Rayburn House Office Building. They were arrested for 22-1307 Crowding, Obstructing, and Incommoding. It is against the law to protest inside the Congressional Buildings."
Representative Pallone, on X (formerly Twitter) before the hearing: "The Republicans are about to mark-up a bill that would basically deny about 13 million Americans with healthcare coverage, and as you can see people with disabilities are particularly concerned, because they are going to be impacted."
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social: "This week the Republicans are meeting in the Tax, Energy, and Agriculture Committees on major pieces of 'THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL.'... The Bill is GREAT. We have no alternative, WE MUST WIN! But now, with the tremendous Drug and Pharmaceutical Cuts, plus massive incoming Tariff Money, our "GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL" just got much BIGGER and BETTER. The Golden Age of America will soon be upon us."
What Happens Next
Other House committees are holding hearings on various aspects of the bill this week.
This story includes reporting by the Associated Press.
Update 5/13/25, 4:24 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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