WASHINGTON – House Republicans defended a bill that would enact sweeping tax cuts, raise the debt ceiling, and add restrictions to benefit programs during a heated marathon day of committee hearings on Capitol Hill.

Republicans' proposed Medicaid cuts will cause 8.6 million people to lose health insurance by 2034, an estimate shows. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said it will cost Republicans seats in Congress.

GOP lawmakers contend that Medicaid should be scrutinized because it's prone to financial waste, and that, by doing so, the program will be better able to serve the people who need it. "Medicaid is hugely problematic because it has a lot of fraud,

House Republicans are proposing hundreds of billions of dollars in spending cuts to Medicaid, a major flashpoint in negotiations that could make or break President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda.

But backers like Rep. Gabe Evans say the proposal’s goal is to ensure only those who qualify for the program are using it.

The House is pushing forward on President Trump's "one, big beautiful bill," as lawmakers weighed some of the most contentious parts of the major budget package aimed at addressing the president's defense,

Gov. Josh Shapiro is warning that cuts to Medicaid health care would mean people losing access to the program and more rural hospitals shutting their doors.