Republicans are increasingly on the defensive over the party’s handling of Medicaid cuts in the party’s “big, beautiful bill,” underscoring how the issue has become an early flashpoint ahead of next year’s midterms.  A number of Republicans have been pressed about cuts to Medicaid in heated town halls and conferences, most recently Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), whose sarcastic response went viral and which has been mocked among Democrats.

The moment underscored the challenge the party faces as it seeks to message on President Trump’s agendawhile also fielding growing criticism from Democrats over changes to the health care program, which could lead to millions of people losing coverage. “As Republicans are bringing this bill home, they've got to focus their message around that waste, fraud an

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