MSNBC anchor Jen Psaki implied that Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) looked like a “little b****” while defending his vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Since the Senate passed the legislation Tuesday, it returned to the House for a second time with edits from Republican senators. Van Orden is likely to vote for this passage, as he voted in favor of the legislation before it went to the Senate.
Psaki predicted that after the bill passes, it “could also spell disaster for Republicans politically” during her Wednesday episode of the Briefing with Jen Psaki. The episode included an excerpt from an exchange Van Orden had with Punchbowl News reporter Kenzie Nguyen.
“Trump’s big ugly bill would result in nearly 12 million people losing Medicaid coverage, and another 4.2 million people would lose healthcare because of cuts to the Affordable Care Act,” Psaki said. “I mean, a whopping 74% of Republicans say they have a favorable view of Medicaid.”
“Even as they are on the verge — maybe we’ll see, there’s still time — of passing their first major piece of legislation since Trump took office… Kind of feels like their hearts aren’t in it,” Psaki said. “I mean, just listen to how defensive Congressman Derek Van Orden sounded today when asked if they feel pressure from Trump to vote for this bill.”
Then Psaki broadcast the audio clip:
“For you, I mean, Trump is sort of the deciding factor here,” Nguyen said.
“No, no, no, I’m not going to allow you to get away with that,” Van Orden responded. “The president of the United States didn’t give us an assignment. We’re not a bunch of little b****es around here. I’m a member of Congress that represents almost 800,000 Wisconsinites. Is that clear?”
“I mean, listen, when you’re proclaiming out loud that you’re in fact not someone’s little b****, well, kind of makes you wonder, doesn’t it?” Psaki said. “But it’s been like this all day. And he’s not the only one who’s as defensive and testy as that.”
According to Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), over 75 Democratic representatives debated among the House Rules Committee to protect Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on the House floor Wednesday. Meanwhile, four Republican members took the podium to defend the bill.
Van Orden confirmed on X Wednesday that he was “standing strong with @realDonaldTrump and the OBBB.”
The audio clip was cut short, according to Van Orden.
“The rest of the quote is: @realDonaldTrump is the Leader of the Republican Party and we are working close with the Admin.,” Van Orden wrote. “I am proud to stand with President Trump to pass the OBBB.”
NICOLE MALLIOTAKIS BLASTS MUSK’S EFFORT TO ‘DERAIL THE PRESIDENT’S AGENDA’
Trump continues to push Republican members to pass the bill, writing on Truth Social, “What are the Republicans waiting for???”
The president had set a deadline of July 4.