{"id":2405152,"date":"2025-02-21T12:35:59","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T17:35:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hawley-embraces-populism-in-vote-a-rama-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-21T12:37:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T17:37:49","slug":"hawley-embraces-populism-in-vote-a-rama-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hawley-embraces-populism-in-vote-a-rama-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawley embraces populism in \u2018vote-a-rama\u2019 &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhawley-embraces-populism-in-vote-a-rama-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2405152&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has emerged as a prominent figure in the Senate&#8217;s populist movement after supporting\u200d several economically liberal amendments proposed by\u2062 Democrats during a recent lengthy voting session known as &#8220;vote-a-rama.&#8221; This session was part of a budget reconciliation process that facilitates the\u2064 passage of certain legislation with just a\u200c simple\u2062 majority. \u2062Notably, Hawley\u2062 voted alongside democratic amendments \u200baimed at\u2063 protecting Medicaid funding and addressing prescription drug price gouging, \u2064indicating his willingness to\u200c diverge from typical Republican positions.<\/p>\n<p>Among his key\u200d votes was support for an amendment to prevent tax \u2064cuts for wealthy individuals if Medicaid funding is\u2064 reduced;\u2063 he was one of only two Republicans to \u200cdo so. Hawley also backed measures designed to shield Medicare\u200c and Medicaid \u2063benefits,\u2064 and also a proposal addressing hedge fund ownership of single-family homes, which has been linked\u2062 to rising rent \u2062prices.<\/p>\n<p>Historically aligned with former president Donald Trump and other prominent populists, Hawley has shown a fluctuating stance on party-line issues, opting for policies that prioritize working Americans. this includes\u2064 a \u200dbill he co-introduced with \u2063Senator Bernie Sanders to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-could-run-into-trouble-with-temporary-cap-on-credit-card-interest-rates-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"... could run into trouble with temporary cap on credit card ... - Washington Examiner\">cap credit card interest rates<\/a>. The current\u200b climate within the Republican Party has \u2063shifted more \u2063towards populism, with increasing support for \u200dinitiatives such\u200c as expanding the child tax credit and imposing tariffs, diverging from\u2062 conventional economic \u2063doctrines.<\/p>\n<p>The recent budget resolution arising \u200cfrom the vote-a-rama, which included considerable funding \u2063for border security and defense, passed with a narrow\u2064 majority. Hawley&#8217;s decision to \u2062support \u200cthe resolution was\u2062 influenced by direct\u200b dialogue with\u200d Trump, who expressed preference\u2063 for a more comprehensive legislative approach.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Hawley embraces populism in &lsquo;vote-a-rama&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1994522\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/josh-hawley\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Josh Hawley<\/a> (R-MO) solidified himself as the Senate&rsquo;s leading <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/populism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">populist<\/a> after voting for several economically liberal Democratic amendments during an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3325734\/senate-approves-trump-budget-plan-voting-marathon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">hourslong voting marathon<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The votes took place as the Senate moved forward with legislation funding tens of billions of dollars for the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/border\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">border<\/a>&nbsp;early on Friday morning in the so-called &ldquo;vote-a-rama&rdquo; that has become a fixture of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/budget-reconciliation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">budget reconciliation<\/a>, a legislative process that allows for bills to bypass the filibuster and pass with only a simple majority in the Senate.<\/p>\n<p>Hawley, who supports fellow populists President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, voted for a number of Democratic amendments during the process, which is seen as an exercise in messaging for the party in the minority, as their amendments rarely pass. The amendments were mostly nonbinding measures but still indicated the political positioning of senators.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) filed an amendment that would prevent tax cuts for the wealthy if a single dollar of Medicaid funding is cut. Hawley was the only Republican other than centrist Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) to vote in favor of it.<\/p>\n<p>That amendment is particularly notable because Republicans are eyeing changes to the program to help pay for tax cuts and other spending as part of their major reconciliation overhaul. Hawley clarified on Thursday that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/3325461\/josh-hawley-backs-work-requirements-medicaid-pay-gop-fiscal-bill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">he does support work requirements<\/a> for Medicaid, which is estimated to save some $140 billion, but he doesn&rsquo;t support benefit cuts.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Benefit cuts is where a red line would be for me,&rdquo; Hawley told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;I mean a work requirement. That&rsquo;s something that probably unites Republicans.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Hawley voted for an amendment to establish a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-votes-to-keep-u-s-embassy-in-jerusalem-permanently\/\" title=\"...ate ...s to keep U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem permanently\">deficit-neutral reserve fund relating<\/a> to ending price gouging on prescription drugs, one to create a point of order against legislation that would reduce Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Americans, and an amendment to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to protecting access to maternal and pediatric healthcare through Medicaid.<\/p>\n<p>Hawley was the only Republican who voted for an amendment from Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) aimed at curbing hedge fund ownership of single-family homes to limit rent prices.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Hedge funds are gobbling up whole neighborhoods&mdash;pushing the cost to buy or rent a home out of reach for many families,&rdquo; Merkley said on X. &ldquo;I introduced a budget amendment to push hedge funds out of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/homebuilder-sentiments-takes-a-historic-plunge\/\" title=\"Homebuilder ...timents Takes a Historic Plunge\">single-family housing market<\/a>. Republicans shot it down&mdash;a vote against lower rents!&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Hawley was again the only Republican senator to vote for an amendment from Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to &ldquo;ensure the full and uninterrupted funding&rdquo; of the PACT Act, a piece of 2022 legislation that authorized spending to expand healthcare and benefits for U.S. veterans exposed to toxic substances.<\/p>\n<p>Hawley has not shied away from bucking his own party on certain matters. For instance, he teamed up with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), one of the most liberal lawmakers, to introduce legislation this <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">year capping credit card interest rates<\/a> at 10%. Notably, Trump talked about capping such rates on the campaign trail.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Working Americans are drowning in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/credit-card-debt-hits-record-amid-rising-interest-rates\/\" title=\"Record credit card debt as ... rise.\">record credit card debt<\/a> while the biggest credit card issuers get richer and richer by hiking their interest rates to the moon,&rdquo; Hawley said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not just wrong, it&rsquo;s exploitative. And it needs to end.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Republican Party, under the leadership of Trump, has become increasingly more populist in recent years. Several GOP lawmakers now support measures such as expanding the child tax credit, which gives families with children more money to support their families.<\/p>\n<p>The party, long a bastion of free trade, has also become more open to the idea of tariffs, which Trump has pushed hard for. Many Republicans have also been vocal about reining in Big Tech, arguing that those corporations have consolidated too much power.<\/p>\n<p>The 10-hour &ldquo;vote-a-rama&rdquo; marathon finally ended around 5 a.m. on Friday morning. The budget resolution, which was approved in a 52-48 vote, would provide some&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3314278\/graham-plows-ahead-budget-blueprint-mike-johnson-objections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$340 billion for border security and defense<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the sole Republican who voted against the resolution, expressing concerns about its fiscal ramifications. The Senate resolution is separate from a House budget resolution that would not only include funding for the border but would also extend expiring provisions of the 2017 Trump tax cuts.<\/p>\n<p>Trump favors the one big bill strategy in the House, but Senate leadership sees the now-passed border funding resolution as a Plan B, should the closely divided House have problems getting its resolution across the finish line.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3325734\/senate-approves-trump-budget-plan-voting-marathon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">SENATE APPROVES TRUMP BUDGET PLAN AFTER HOURS-LONG VOTING MARATHON<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Hawley said he was previously planning to vote against the overall Senate resolution, given Trump&rsquo;s preference for the House version, but decided to vote for it <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/senate\/5156767-senate-passes-budget-resolution-vote-a-rama-trump-agenda\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">after speaking<\/a> with Trump.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He made clear to me, however, he wants one big, beautiful bill. He said that two or three times on the phone,&rdquo; Hawley said. &ldquo;So, you know, I think this is maybe better than nothing.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1994522\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1994522\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hawley champions populism in &#8216;vote-a-rama&#8217; session<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3360,"featured_media":2405153,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/hawley-vote-a-rama.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50817,5894,19667,50690,32076],"class_list":["post-2405152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-hawley-2","tag-politics","tag-populism","tag-vote-a-rama","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/hawley-vote-a-rama.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2405152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3360"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2405152"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2405152\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2405156,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2405152\/revisions\/2405156"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2405153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2405152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2405152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2405152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}