from WNYC studios. I'm Brian Lehrer. This is my daily politics podcast. It's Monday, June 2nd.

Monday morning national politics, especially with the Trump budget, his central legislative agenda item, with the tax

cuts, spending cuts, deficit increases, and more now heading to the Senate, where Medicaid

cuts and more might have a harder time than in the House. Maybe you've heard or seen this viral

video clip of Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst the other day being challenged about the potential

impact of Medicaid cuts in the bill, which the voter says might cause people to die.

When you were arguing about illegals that are receiving Medicaid benefits, 1.4 million. 1.4.

They're not, they are not eligible.

So they will be coming off.

So people are not, well, we all are going to die.

We all are going to die.

Democrats getting ready to run against Senator Ernst might be thanking their lucky stars this morning that that clip is now out in the universe.

We'll discuss that and more with Jonathan Lemire, contributing writer at the Atlantic and co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, where he just

finished the hour that he anchors the 9 a.m. Eastern Time hour. Jonathan, thanks for the generosity

of joining us right after that. Welcome back to WN.YC. It is always my pleasure. Good morning to you.

I saw you discussing the Joni Ernst clip with some amazement that she said what she said.

What exactly happened there?

I mean, it is a twofold here and just extraordinary act of, I would say, political tone deafness to be generous.

So you just played the clip from the town hall itself where she

was pressed on the possible cuts to Medicaid in this so-called big beautiful bill. The Republicans

have now passed the House, but it faces an uncertain future in the Senate. At minimum,

it's going to receive some substantial changes.

...