Overview: The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed the House with a narrow margin of 218-214, with two Republicans voting alongside Democrats against the bill. The bill, which includes tax cuts and federal cuts to essential health programs, is estimated to cut federal spending on Medicaid and CHIP benefits by $1.02 trillion by 2034, potentially cutting healthcare coverage for over 10 million people. California leaders are concerned, noting that more than two million Californians could lose healthcare under Medi-Cal.
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After narrowly passing the Senate, President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” — rife with tax cuts and cuts to essential federally funded health programs — House Republicans passed the bill on July 3, pushing it to the president’s desk.
The bill’s passage was close, 218-214, with two Republicans, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania) and Thomas Massie (Kentucky) voting along the 212 Democrats who opposed the bill.
The bill, more than 800 pages, details millions of spending cuts to several critical programs, including Medicare, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Democrats worked to block the passage of the bill, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, (D-N.Y.), broke the record for the longest House floor speech ever on Thursday as he criticized Republicans. Jeffries’ speech clocked in at more than eight hours and 32 minutes, the previous record held by House Republican leader, Kevin McCarthy, in 2021.
“People will die. Tens of thousands, perhaps year after year after year, as a result of the Republican assault on the healthcare of the American people,” Jeffries said during his speech. “I’m sad. I never thought I would be on the House floor saying this is a crime scene.”
According to estimates published by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” will cut federal spending on Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) benefits by $1.02 trillion, accomplished partly by eliminating more than 10 million people from the programs by 2034.
California leaders reacted to the bill’s passage, noting that more than two million Californians are at risk of losing healthcare coverage under Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program.
“As we approach our country’s birthday, I would remind the man occupying the White House that America has a historical intolerance for kings,” Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) said in a statement. “California will need to take decisive action to protect our constituents and deliver despite these far-reaching, devastating cuts. I am devastated for our country, but we cannot stand down, and I am committed to a swift response.”
Inland Empire House Representative Mark Takano who represents the Inland Empire’s 39th Congressional District commented, “It is unfortunate and sad that the Republican conference is in a collective state of petrified fidelity and could not dissent to this disaster of a bill without receiving the ire of a President. But what will be even more unfortunate is when hospitals close and the entire healthcare system is destabilized because of Republican greed.”
Congressman Pete Aguilar who represents the Inland Empire’s 33rd Congressional District said yesterday that the bill marks the president’s betrayal of working class people across the country. “This bill is not for the American people. It’s a reward to the mega rich campaign donors that bankroll Republican campaigns . . . the American people don’t deserve this suffering.”