Senator-elect El-Sayed says Republicans want to talk, urges bill to undo Medicaid cuts

Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed says Republican senators have already approached him about working together. He also says Congress should pass a bill to reverse Medicaid cuts that take hold in January. He made the comments to PBS NewsHour while in Washington for new-senator orientation. ¹

El-Sayed will be the first Muslim ever elected to the U.S. Senate. PBS said his race featured record outside spending and harsh attacks on his name and his faith. ¹ The interviewer said he won by seven points. ¹

On tapePBS NewsHour · Nov 13

▶12:12

Medicaid: a bill aimed at rural Republicans

Medicaid is the government health program for low-income Americans. It also helps pay for many nursing home stays. The interviewer noted that new Medicaid work requirements take effect January 1, and that a repeal bill would likely face a veto from President Trump. ¹

El-Sayed said cuts do not only hurt people on Medicaid. People who lose coverage still get sick, he said, and they often get care in an emergency room, when it costs the most. Hospitals then face costs they cannot bear. He said that puts rural hospitals and health centers in danger of closing. ¹

From Channel GOPAbdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate raceAbdul El-Sayed · 138 plays · captioned, with the source named

He pointed to Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and the Dakotas as states where Republican senators could face that risk. He said a clean repeal bill might draw many Republican votes. ¹ He also described the cuts as "the impending doom that is going to come if these Medicaid cuts actually take hold in January." ¹

I would not be surprised if we were able to get a lot of Republicans on board, maybe even a veto proof majority.

'Trumpcare for All' and the leadership fight

El-Sayed also backs Medicare for All, a single government plan covering everyone. He told PBS the name does not matter to him. ¹ In a CNN interview on Nov. 10, he said he would accept a plan with no co-pay, premium or deductible, and added: "So if he wants to call it Trumpcare for all, like, I'm game." ²

El-Sayed said he has not spoken with Trump since winning. He said he communicates with the president the way everyone does, on social media. ¹

He has called for Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen to become the next Senate Democratic leader. ¹ He credited Chuck Schumer for helping win Michigan, though Schumer backed El-Sayed's primary opponent. ¹ He said the new class wants "a fresh approach" to governing. ¹

He was also asked whether he can work with the White House and with chief of staff Stephen Miller. He said House Republicans' choice of Jim Jordan as leader and Trump's choice of Miller do not match Trump's stated wish to work with Democrats. He said the White House is one "we're going to have to figure out how to engage with." ¹

That matters because Medicaid changes arrive well before the new Senate class is sworn in. This is analysis: a repeal bill would still need Trump's signature or a veto-proof majority. El-Sayed says rural Republicans may feel the pressure, but he has not named any who agree. ¹

The Record

1. Nov 10, 2026El-Sayed tells CNN he would back 'Trumpcare for all' if it guaranteed coverage with no co-pay, premium or deductible. ²
2. Nov 12, 2026El-Sayed tells PBS NewsHour he backs Van Hollen for Senate Democratic leader and wants a clean bill to reverse Medicaid cuts. ¹
3. Jan 1, 2027New Medicaid work requirements are set to take effect. ¹

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<h2>Senator-elect El-Sayed says Republicans want to talk, urges bill to undo Medicaid cuts</h2> <p><em>By The GOP Files Kitchen-Table Desk. This article first appeared on <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/senator-elect-el-sayed-says-republicans-want-to-talk-urges-bill-to-undo-medicaid">The GOP Files</a> on Friday, November 13, 2026.</em></p> <p>Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed says Republican senators have already approached him about working together. He also says Congress should pass a bill to reverse Medicaid cuts that take hold in January. He made the comments to PBS NewsHour while in Washington for new-senator orientation.</p> <p>El-Sayed will be the first Muslim ever elected to the U.S. Senate. PBS said his race featured record outside spending and harsh attacks on his name and his faith. The interviewer said he won by seven points.</p> <h2>Medicaid: a bill aimed at rural Republicans</h2> <p>Medicaid is the government health program for low-income Americans. It also helps pay for many nursing home stays. The interviewer noted that new Medicaid work requirements take effect January 1, and that a repeal bill would likely face a veto from President Trump.</p> <p>El-Sayed said cuts do not only hurt people on Medicaid. People who lose coverage still get sick, he said, and they often get care in an emergency room, when it costs the most. Hospitals then face costs they cannot bear. He said that puts rural hospitals and health centers in danger of closing.</p> <p>He pointed to Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and the Dakotas as states where Republican senators could face that risk. He said a clean repeal bill might draw many Republican votes. He also described the cuts as &quot;the impending doom that is going to come if these Medicaid cuts actually take hold in January.&quot;</p> <blockquote><p>I would not be surprised if we were able to get a lot of Republicans on board, maybe even a veto proof majority.</p><p>&mdash; Abdul El-Sayed, Senator-elect, D-Michigan</p></blockquote> <h2>&#39;Trumpcare for All&#39; and the leadership fight</h2> <p>El-Sayed also backs Medicare for All, a single government plan covering everyone. He told PBS the name does not matter to him. In a CNN interview on Nov. 10, he said he would accept a plan with no co-pay, premium or deductible, and added: &quot;So if he wants to call it Trumpcare for all, like, I&#39;m game.&quot;</p> <p>El-Sayed said he has not spoken with Trump since winning. He said he communicates with the president the way everyone does, on social media.</p> <p>He has called for Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen to become the next Senate Democratic leader. He credited Chuck Schumer for helping win Michigan, though Schumer backed El-Sayed&#39;s primary opponent. He said the new class wants &quot;a fresh approach&quot; to governing.</p> <p>He was also asked whether he can work with the White House and with chief of staff Stephen Miller. He said House Republicans&#39; choice of Jim Jordan as leader and Trump&#39;s choice of Miller do not match Trump&#39;s stated wish to work with Democrats. He said the White House is one &quot;we&#39;re going to have to figure out how to engage with.&quot;</p> <p>That matters because Medicaid changes arrive well before the new Senate class is sworn in. This is analysis: a repeal bill would still need Trump&#39;s signature or a veto-proof majority. El-Sayed says rural Republicans may feel the pressure, but he has not named any who agree.</p> <p><em>Read the original, with every source linked, at <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/senator-elect-el-sayed-says-republicans-want-to-talk-urges-bill-to-undo-medicaid">thegopfiles.com</a>. Republished under The GOP Files' <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/republish">free republishing terms</a>.</em></p> <img src="https://thegopfiles.com/api/rp/senator-elect-el-sayed-says-republicans-want-to-talk-urges-bill-to-undo-medicaid.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border:0;width:1px;height:1px">

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Sources

1. PBS NewsHour, “Abdul El-Sayed on Democratic leadership, health care access and inspiring a new generation” (2026-11-12). pbs.org/newshour/show/abdul-el-sayed-on-democratic-leadershi
2. NewsChannel 10, “Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed says he would vote for 'Trumpcare for all'” (2026-11-11). newschannel10.com/2026/11/11/michigan-senator-elect-abdul-el

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