The lawmakers said the House budget is merely symbolic even though it lays the groundwork for big policy changes.

In theory, the budget, which kicks off the process of passing an extension of tax cuts enacted in 2017 and up to $2 trillion in spending cuts meant to partly offset them, could become law without significant cuts to Medicaid. But it won’t be easy.

Although the budget resolution does not mention Medicaid specifically, lawmakers would be hard pressed to find enough cuts to meet an $880 billion target without touching federal healthcare programs.