Indiana Advocates Respond to 'Big Beautiful Bill' Announced by Trump

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives completed an all-nighter that culminated in the passage of President Trump's so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” early this morning. The bill, which passed by a single vote, now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The legislation extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, lifts the federal tax on tips and overtime and allocates nearly $50 billion to resume construction of the border wall. It also proposes cuts to federal spending exceeding $1.5 trillion, impacting programs including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In a notable division, only two Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the bill, neither of whom is from Indiana.

Feeding America reports that nearly 50 million people nationwide face food insecurity, the highest rate in over a decade. The CBO estimates that the proposed bill would reduce federal spending for SNAP by $267 billion.

"The bill requires states to have skin in the game on SNAP,” Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R), representing Indiana's 9th district, said on the House floor prior to the vote. “The bill requires states to be more responsible about how Medicaid is funded; the bill provides needed tax relief for seniors. These are good things that reduce the size and scope of federal government that is encroaching on the everyday lives of Americans."

While GOP lawmakers argue that the bill decreases federal spending, Feeding America warns that the cost shift to Indiana could total $356 million. Additionally, the state would face increased administrative costs, rising from the federal government covering 50 percent of those expenses to Indiana being responsible for covering 70 percent under the bill, equating to an additional $46 million.

"Our member food banks and their network of community kitchens and faith-based partners and pantries are doing everything we can to meet the rising demand, but the federal nutrition programs provide unmatched scale and efficiency that people can access to find the food they need,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry.

For Medicaid, the CBO estimates that federal subsidies will be reduced by $698 billion.

Jennifer DeWitt, whose son Jackson has severe medical complexities, expressed her concerns about the potential impact of the bill. Jackson’s feeding tube, which costs $3,500 a month, is not covered by her employer's health insurance.

"We really need to take a step back and see who this is going to end up impacting because it's not just going to be this handful of people we want to target,” DeWitt said. “It’s going to have huge ripple effects and massive consequences."

Congressman Andre Carson proposed an amendment to trigger an audit examining how many people on Medicaid and SNAP would be affected, but the amendment failed. While the GOP maintains that those who rely on these programs the most will remain unaffected, organizations such as Feeding America and the American Cancer Society voice concerns that the legislation will indeed have significant repercussions.

Indiana Congressional members sent statements regarding the passage. Congressmen Rudy Yakym, Marlin Stutzman, Jim Baird, Mark Messmer, and Victoria Spartz expressed their support for the bill. Congresswoman Erin Houchin also praised the bill's passage.

Congressman Jefferson Shreve stated that House Republicans secured wins for Hoosiers and the American people with the passage of HR1 – the budget reconciliation bill. Congressman Andre Carson criticized the bill, saying it makes Hoosier families poorer and the ultra-wealthy even richer.