Senators Seek to Modify Tax Plan to Require Fewer Medicaid Cuts

Senate Republicans are working to change a House GOP tax plan to require fewer cuts in Medicaid health benefits for the poor and disabled, seeking to mollify members of the party worried about a public backlash.

The move, which is not finalized, also pares back requirements for other spending cuts but risks alienating deficit hawks in both the Senate and the House. Fiscal conservatives in the party want steep spending cuts to help offset the multi-trillion-dollar tax-cut package.

Still, the Senate budget plan being prepared allows the party to side-step for now a potential political uproar and eliminates one of ...