CELEBRITY
BREAKING: In a dramatic and unexpected bipartisan moment, Bernie Sanders has reportedly secured the support of every Democrat along with two GOP lawmakers to pass a major measure aimed at recovering $75 billion and reversing proposed Medicaid cuts.
In a striking display of rare bipartisan unity amid heightened political tensions, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has garnered unanimous support from all Senate Democrats and two Republican senators—Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine—for his amendment to recover $75 billion in funding and reverse proposed cuts to Medicaid.
The measure, introduced as an amendment to a broader government funding package, sought to repeal a $75 billion funding increase for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that was part of former President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Sanders proposed redirecting those funds to undo Medicaid reductions, which supporters argued would avert the loss of health coverage for approximately 700,000 Americans and stabilize essential services for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
The vote highlighted deep concerns over healthcare access in an era of budget constraints, with advocates warning that Medicaid cuts could overburden rural hospitals and leave millions vulnerable. Sanders emphasized the choice between bolstering immigration enforcement and protecting public health, calling the reallocation a “commonsense” step to prioritize vulnerable Americans.
While the amendment ultimately fell short of passage in the Senate—failing by a narrow margin—it underscored unusual cross-aisle agreement on the importance of safeguarding healthcare funding. The episode signals potential fault lines in congressional priorities, even as broader spending measures advance.
Supporters hailed the strong showing as a moral victory for progressive priorities and a reminder that healthcare remains a unifying issue for many lawmakers, despite partisan divides. Critics, however, maintained that reallocating ICE funds could compromise border security efforts.
This development comes as debates over federal spending and program priorities continue to dominate Capitol Hill.
