House Republican rips 'drastic' Medicare cuts in Ryan budget

Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.) slammed the Medicare cuts in House Republicans' budget resolution Thursday, saying he couldn't support the plan because it cut Medicare but still would not balance the budget.

McKinley was one of 10 Republicans to vote against Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) budget proposal, which passed the House 228-191.

In a statement Thursday, McKinley emphasized that he has voted to cut more than $5 trillion in government spending, but said the House budget was unacceptable.

"I can’t support a plan that cuts Medicare, removes widely-used tax credits for homeowners and health care, and still doesn’t balance the budget for 28 years,” McKinley said.

Democrats have targeted McKinley's seat as a possible pickup in November, though he's favored to win reelection.

The House-passed budget, crafted by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), would partially privatize the Medicare program. Seniors could either enroll in the traditional single-payer system or receive a subsidy to help buy private insurance.

Democrats have hammered the proposal, saying it would "end Medicare as we know it." Ryan's budget last year helped bolster Democrats' hopes of regaining a House majority.

"There are aspects of the Ryan plan and other budget proposals that I like," McKinley said. "Unfortunately, the legislative process for the budget resolution does not allow us to ‘cherry pick’ the proposals that we like; it is all or nothing."

He also opposed President Obama's budget proposal, which the House unanimously rejected, and was one of four Republicans to vote against Ryan's budget last year.

---