Virginia Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA) is under fire after defending a controversial GOP-backed budget bill that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says could strip millions of Americans of their Medicaid coverage. Despite mounting criticism, Kiggans continues to support the legislation, claiming it strengthens the healthcare system and promotes fiscal responsibility. Virginia Rep. Kiggans Defends GOP Bill Despite CBO’s Medicaid Concerns
The GOP’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” and Its Medicaid Impact
The legislation in question, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” narrowly passed the House of Representatives on May 23, 2025, with only Republican votes. The bill proposes sweeping federal spending cuts, including significant reductions to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies .
According to the CBO’s analysis, the bill could result in 7.6 million Americans losing Medicaid coverage, with an estimated 13.7 million total losing health insurance when ACA subsidy expirations are factored in.
Kiggans’ Defense: “Reform, Not Reduction”
In a video posted to social media, Rep. Kiggans defended the bill, stating, “What this bill does is strengthen and reform Medicaid. We want to make sure that it’s going to the people who need it the most.” She emphasized the bill’s work requirement provisions, arguing that they ensure able-bodied adults are not receiving benefits undeservedly.
However, critics argue that these work requirements are vague and could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including:
- Disabled individuals
- People with substance use disorders
- Seasonal and self-employed workers
- Low-income parents and caregivers
CBO’s Warning: Millions at Risk
The nonpartisan CBO paints a starkly different picture. Their report indicates that the bill’s work requirements and funding cuts would lead to massive coverage losses, particularly among:
- Children
- Seniors in nursing homes
- Pregnant women
- Disabled individuals
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine criticized the bill, saying, “A huge percentage of Medicaid recipients are children—disabled children who use Medicaid to get the wheelchair they need to attend school. We’re going to impose work requirements on them? Are you kidding?”
Misleading Claims and Public Backlash
Kiggans has also been accused of misleading her constituents. In a separate statement, she claimed, “This budget resolution does not cut Medicaid.” However, the CBO’s findings directly contradict that assertion, confirming that the bill would require deep Medicaid cuts to fund extended tax breaks for the wealthy.
Emily Yeatts, Campaigns Director for Affordable Virginia, called out Kiggans’ statements as “blatantly false,” adding, “This witch hunt for so-called wasteful spending is proving what we already know—that these programs are not just necessary, but popular”.
Tax Cuts for the Wealthy, Burdens for the Poor?
The bill also includes provisions to extend Trump-era tax cuts, eliminate taxes on cash tips, and offer temporary deductions for Social Security recipients. However, critics argue that these benefits are either limited in scope or heavily skewed toward high-income earners.
For example:
- The “no tax on tips” provision only applies to cash tips, while electronic tips—which make up 84% of restaurant transactions—remain taxable.
- The Social Security tax deduction is temporary and only benefits middle-income seniors.
Political Ramifications for Kiggans
Rep. Kiggans, who was re-elected in 2024, is now considered a vulnerable incumbent heading into the 2026 midterms. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has already targeted her district, citing her support for the bill as a key issue.
Polls in Virginia show that Medicaid and healthcare access remain top concerns for voters, especially in suburban and rural areas where hospitals and clinics rely heavily on federal funding.
