In a powerful exchange on Meet the Press, Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) dismantled the left’s narrative on Medicaid, delivering a much-needed dose of common sense that the liberal media refuses to acknowledge. While Democrats push for endless handouts, Mullin stood firm on the conservative principle of personal responsibility, asking, *“What is so hard about requiring an able-body individual with no dependents, no sickness, to work 20 hours a week?”*
The senator’s message was clear: Medicaid was never meant to subsidize laziness. “We don’t pay people in this country to be lazy. We want to give them an opportunity,” Mullin declared, highlighting how the program has been twisted by progressive policies that encourage dependency rather than empowerment. Instead of upholding its original purpose—helping the truly vulnerable—Democrats have allowed Medicaid to become a bloated system riddled with fraud, waste, and abuse, even extending benefits to illegal immigrants.
The Economic Policy Innovation Center has exposed how this program, designed for society’s most needy, is now being exploited by working-age adults, including those who crossed the border illegally. This is exactly the kind of reckless spending that President Donald Trump has fought against his entire administration. While the left cries about “compassion,” their policies have turned Medicaid into a magnet for abuse, draining taxpayer dollars from those who genuinely need assistance.
Mullin’s stance aligns perfectly with President Trump’s America First agenda, which prioritizes fiscal responsibility and self-sufficiency over socialist handouts. “When they’re going through a hard time, we want to give them a help in hand. That’s what Medicaid was designed for, and it’s unfortunately, it’s been abused,” the senator explained. The Trump administration has consistently pushed for work requirements and anti-fraud measures to restore integrity to welfare programs, but the liberal media—always eager to paint conservatives as heartless—ignores these reforms.
WATCH
Markwayne Mullin to Kristen Welker on work requirements: "What is so hard about requiring an able-bodied individual with no dependents, no sickness, work work 20 hours a week? I know you worked more than 20 hours this weekend alone … we don't pay people in this country to be… pic.twitter.com/DIyj2dGHaG
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 29, 2025
The truth is, Democrats want to keep Americans dependent on government because it secures their voter base. Meanwhile, President Trump and Republicans like Mullin are fighting to restore dignity through work and accountability. The left’s outrage over common-sense reforms reveals their real priority: power, not people.