Patty Murray Drops Bombshell During Heated Hearing On Trump’s Pardons — WORLD NEWS — US NEWS

[0:00] I think we can all agree we do need to crack down on fraud, especially in a program like Medicaid that so many Americans really rely on. [0:08] So, Mr. Ingram, let me just ask you, yes or no. [0:11] You agree we do need to be cracking down on Medicaid fraud and not letting criminals off the hook, yes? [0:18] Yes. [0:18] Thank you. [0:19] So, I hope my Republican colleagues will use some part of this hearing to condemn President Trump for pardoning criminals who were convicted of major Medicaid fraud. [0:32] Trump pardoned five former executives from Florida who committed serious Medicaid fraud to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. [0:42] That is pretty bad. [0:43] Following what was dubbed, quote, the largest health care fraud scheme charged by the U.S. Justice Department, valued at over $1 billion in Medicare and Medicaid fraud, [0:54] Trump commuted the 20-year sentence of a Florida nursing home and assisted living facility executive. [1:01] So, that's even worse. [1:02] So, look, I'm all for major crackdown fraud. [1:05] I think we all are. [1:06] But it looks like we've got some pretty good leads starting in the White House. [1:10] Mr. Schneider, I want to turn to you. [1:13] What single piece of legislation delivered the largest cuts to Medicaid in American history? [1:19] Last year's budget reconciliation bill. [1:22] Yep. [1:22] So, everybody knows Republicans' big ugly bill passed more than $1 trillion in health care cuts, mostly to Medicaid. [1:31] Mr. Schneider, how much in tax breaks for the top 1% did Trump's bill contain? [1:37] Approximately $1 trillion. [1:38] $1 trillion. [1:39] $1 trillion in tax cuts to the top 1%. [1:42] Mr. Schneider, how many Americans are losing health care because of Trump's big, ugly bill? [1:50] So, in terms of the Medicaid cuts, the latest estimates are approximately $11 million. [1:55] $11 million. [1:55] So, zero billionaires lose their health care. [2:00] They do get $1 trillion in tax cuts. [2:03] And then over 15 million Americans, including the extended ACA tax credits, lose their health care thanks to Republicans passing $1 trillion in cuts for regular working class people. [2:16] That is the math. [2:17] And that is out-and-out grift. [2:19] So, it seems to me like the biggest Medicaid theft didn't happen in a billing office somewhere. [2:24] It actually happened last year, right here in the United States Capitol, when Republicans passed Trump's big, ugly bill. [2:31] So, Mr. Chairman, let me just say, I find it pretty astounding that Republicans are holding an entire Senate hearing on fraud in Medicaid. [2:40] But they don't seem to have anything to say about the fraud coming out of the White House. [2:45] I mean, look at the crypto schemes and the foreign gifts. [2:48] That's easily the most corrupt White House in American history. [2:52] So, the President Trump pardoned convicted criminals who committed Medicaid fraud. [2:58] This is outrageous to me, and it is what we should be talking about. [3:01] But I also want to note a really big difference in terms of values and beliefs right now, because I am here, and I know my colleagues on this side are, to fight for our safety net programs. [3:12] But my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are not with me on that fight. [3:16] Chairman Johnson has said repeatedly he believes Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. [3:22] Last week, another Republican senator was on the floor saying Social Security is a scam. [3:27] So, I wanted to make really clear at this hearing, I cannot disagree more strongly, Mr. Chairman. [3:33] Social Security is a program that millions of hardworking Americans have paid into their entire lives. [3:40] So, Republicans might want to cut benefits or privatize Social Security, but I want you to know I am going to keep fighting to save Social Security and protect health care for our Americans. [3:51] That is pretty bad. [3:52] Following what was dubbed, quote, the largest health care fraud scheme charged by the U.S. Justice Department, valued at over $1 billion in Medicare and Medicaid fraud, [4:03] Trump commuted the 20-year sentence of a Florida nursing home and assisted living facility executive. [4:11] So, that's even worse. [4:12] So, look, I'm all for major crackdown fraud. [4:15] I think we all are. [4:16] But it looks like we've got some pretty good leads starting in the White House. [4:19] Mr. Schneider, I want to turn to you. [4:23] What single piece of legislation delivered the largest cuts to Medicaid in American history? [4:29] Last year's budget reconciliation bill. [4:31] Yep. [4:31] So, everybody knows Republicans' big, ugly bill passed more than $1 trillion in health care cuts, mostly to Medicaid. [4:41] Mr. Schneider, how much in tax breaks for the top 1% did Trump's bill contain? [4:47] Approximately $1 trillion. [4:48] $1 trillion. [4:49] $1 trillion in tax cuts to the top 1%. [4:51] Mr. Schneider, how many Americans are losing health care because of Trump's big, ugly bill? [5:00] So, in terms of the Medicaid cuts, the latest estimates are approximately $11 million. [5:04] $11 million. [5:05] So, zero billionaires lose their health care. [5:10] They do get $1 trillion in tax cuts. [5:13] And then over 15 million Americans, including the extended ACA tax credits, lose their health care thanks to Republicans passing $1 trillion in cuts for regular working class people. [5:25] That is the math, and that is out-and-out grift. [5:28] So, it seems to me like the biggest Medicaid theft didn't happen in a billing office somewhere. [5:33] It actually happened last year, right here in the United States Capitol, when Republicans passed Trump's big, ugly bill. [5:41] So, Mr. Chairman, let me just say, I find it pretty astounding that Republicans are holding an entire Senate hearing on fraud in Medicaid, but they don't seem to have anything to say about the fraud coming out of the White House. [5:54] I mean, look at the crypto schemes and the foreign gifts. [5:57] That's easily the most corrupt White House in American history. [6:01] So, the President Trump pardoned convicted criminals who committed Medicaid fraud. [6:07] This is outrageous to me, and it is what we should be talking about. [6:11] But I also want to note a really big difference in terms of values and beliefs right now, because I am here, and I know my colleagues on this side are, to fight for our safety net programs. [6:21] But my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are not with me on that fight. [6:25] Chairman Johnson has said repeatedly he believes Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. [6:31] Last week, another Republican senator was on the floor saying Social Security is a scam. [6:36] So, I wanted to make really clear at this hearing, I cannot disagree more strongly, Mr. Chairman. [6:43] Social Security is a program that millions of hardworking Americans have paid into their entire lives. [6:49] So, Republicans might want to cut benefits or privatize Social Security, but I want you to know I am going to keep fighting. [6:56] To save Social Security and protect health care for our Americans now and long into the future. [7:02] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [7:04] To correct the record, I have said it is a legal Ponzi scheme, which is exactly what it is. [7:09] I mean, take a look at what a Ponzi scheme is. [7:12] That is what Social Security is. [7:13] It has been horribly mismanaged. [7:14] Those funds were not invested in something that is valued at the federal government's government bonds. [7:20] I am happy to, and we will probably hold a hearing on this, and I will prove the case. [7:23] But it is a legal Ponzi scheme, and that is quite honestly indisputable. [7:26] Mr. Chairman, to respond. [7:29] Yes. [7:29] And welcome to the chairmanship. [7:32] But I find that you are turning this into a debate committee, not a budget committee. [7:35] That is fine. [7:36] But let me just respond. [7:37] I think it is important that the American people see a civil exchange. [7:40] You have a right as a chair, but I will respond. [7:42] Americans pay for their Social Security. [7:45] They pay into it for their lifetimes. [7:47] And they deserve to know it is going to be there in the future. [7:50] That is what we are focused on. [7:51] Yes. [7:51] Imagine saying that. [7:52] Imagine saying that. [8:06] Don't be interested in this. [8:07] And that is what I am too понять. [8:08] It is. [8:09] Imagine saying that. [8:10] It is. [8:11] Imagine saying companies have won no China because they have no budget terms. [8:14] So if we have money with those problems, they will earn no more than that. [8:16] You can sell it under that. [8:17] Right. [8:17] You can call it the increase in this. [8:19] If we have anything we don't have money at that level, please.