
July 7, 2025 — On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1) into law, marking a significant milestone in his second term’s domestic agenda.
Hailed by supporters as a transformative piece of legislation, the bill has sparked intense debate due to its sweeping changes to tax policy, healthcare funding, and social safety net programs.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed the U.S. House of Representatives on July 3, 2025, in a razor-thin 218-214 vote after an all-night session, following Senate approval on July 1 with a 51-49 vote.
The bill, a cornerstone of Trump’s 2026 budget, extends the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions, introduces new tax deductions, and implements significant cuts to social programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Key provisions include:
- Tax Cuts Extension: Permanent extension of the 2017 TCJA, primarily benefiting corporations and high-income earners. The Tax Foundation notes that these cuts are projected to add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over ten years.
- Medicaid and SNAP Cuts: The bill reduces funding for Medicaid, potentially affecting 11.8 million Americans’ healthcare coverage, and SNAP, which could remove nearly five million people from food assistance programs.
- New Tax Deduction for Seniors: An additional $6,000 annual tax deduction for individuals over 65, intended to reduce taxes on Social Security benefits for approximately 88% of seniors, though 7 million seniors may still face taxes on these benefits.
- Work Requirements and Administrative Changes: The bill introduces stricter work requirements and bureaucratic hurdles for Medicaid and SNAP eligibility, which critics argue disproportionately harm single mothers, people with disabilities, and those without stable housing.
The bill’s passage was fraught with tension.
In the House, Republican leadership faced resistance from members of the House Freedom Caucus, concerned about the bill’s $3.3 trillion debt increase, and moderates wary of Medicaid cuts impacting their constituencies.
Five Republicans—Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Keith Self (R-TX), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Victoria Spartz (R-IN), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)—initially opposed advancing the bill, though Massie later flipped to a “yes” vote. In the Senate, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) was the sole Republican to vote against the bill, citing unspecified concerns.
Democrats, unified in opposition, have labeled the bill a “betrayal” of working-class families. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) warned that the bill represents “the largest and greatest loss of healthcare in American history,” estimating that 17 million Americans could lose coverage.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) suggested that the bill’s unpopularity could cost Republicans their congressional majorities in the 2026 midterms, noting growing nervousness among GOP lawmakers.
Impact on Healthcare, Particularly for Southern Women
The bill’s Medicaid cuts are poised to disproportionately affect the U.S. South, where healthcare infrastructure is already strained.
Carmen James Randolph, CEO of the Women’s Foundation of the South, described the legislation as a “legislative double-barreled shotgun” targeting women, particularly Black, Brown, and low-income women in the South.
Rural clinic closures and high maternal mortality rates in the region exacerbate the impact of reduced funding for Medicaid and Planned Parenthood, which Randolph calls a “death sentence” for women and babies.
For example, states like Mississippi and Alabama, where maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the nation, rely heavily on Medicaid for prenatal and postnatal care.
The Center for American Progress notes that the bill’s cuts could increase costs for states and taxpayers while limiting access to essential care.
Danielle Atkinson, founder of Mothering Justice, highlighted the personal toll, recalling her own loss of Medicaid coverage after childbirth, which left her unable to afford medical care during critical months.
Proponents, including Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), argue that the bill fulfills the mandate of Trump’s 2024 election victory, emphasizing tax cuts and economic growth.
Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), chair of the National Republican Campaign Committee, claimed the cuts target “waste, fraud, and abuse” in social programs, though analysts dispute this, citing broad reductions that affect eligible recipients.
Critics, however, warn of a widening wealth gap.
The bill’s tax cuts overwhelmingly favor the top 1% of earners, with the Congressional Budget Office projecting a $3.3 trillion deficit increase over a decade.
Atkinson argues that the bill prioritizes billionaire interests over working-class families, potentially “eliminating the middle class as we know it.”
Small businesses and local economies, reliant on SNAP dollars, may also suffer, as reduced benefits could decrease consumer spending.
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Public and Political Reactions
Public sentiment, as reflected in posts on X, is polarized. Supporters like @nicksortor celebrated the bill’s advancement, crediting Sen. JD Vance for rallying Senate support.
Critics, such as @krassenstein, condemned the bill’s $3.4 trillion deficit increase and its benefits for the wealthy, calling it a betrayal of Republican promises.
Polls indicate the bill is deeply unpopular, with Democrats planning to leverage this in the 2026 midterms.
Trump himself has framed the bill as a defense against Democratic “destruction,” dismissing critics’ concerns as “false statements.”
However, fact-checkers, including CNN’s Daniel Dale, have debunked claims like Trump’s promise of no taxes on Social Security, noting that the bill only partially addresses this through the senior deduction.
As the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” takes effect, its long-term consequences remain uncertain.
The bill’s supporters see it as a bold step toward economic prosperity, while opponents warn of devastating impacts on healthcare access and economic equity.
With midterm elections looming, the bill’s fallout could reshape the political landscape, particularly for Republicans defending their slim congressional majorities.
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