GOP Faces Fallout From Ryan Medicare Proposal

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., showed great courage in calling for Medicare cutbacks in the budget approved in the GOP-controlled House. But now, Republicans are starting to face political fallout from the decision, Politico reports.

Democrat Kathy Hochul, who is favored to win Tuesday’s special election in New York’s 26th Congressional District, has used the GOP Medicare stance as a major issue in her campaign. If she emerges victorious, Republicans may start pulling back their support for Medicare cuts.

If Hochul beats Republican Jane Corwin, “it’s going to be bad, no question about that,” a top GOP staffer told Politico. But this person sees a silver lining. “It’s only one seat. There are unique circumstances in this race, and Democrats have not even offered a plan to save Medicare. It’s not the end of the world, that’s for sure.”