EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the GOP’s “big, beautiful bill” on Wednesday, July 2 and is heading to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed.
The passing came after a 218-214 vote, with two Republican Reps., Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) joined all Democrats in voting against the bill.
On Tuesday, July 1, the U.S. Senate passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, after a 27-hour marathon of votes.
The bill includes extending the 2017 tax cuts, a $150 billion boost in funding for a border wall, immigration enforcement and deportations, and cuts to low-income health and nutrition programs.
Here is what some local leaders and groups said about the passing of the bill:
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas
“Donald Trump and Republicans promised to lower the cost of living on “Day One.” Today, 218 House Republicans voted to kick 17 million Americans from their health care, slash nutrition programs and increase our electricity bills — all for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. Hard-working Americans who make $51,000 or less will see their incomes decrease. And if all of that weren’t bad enough, the Republican budget explodes our deficit by trillions of dollars. Every Democrat voted ‘no.’
“This bill represents the single largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in American history and will make America sicker and poorer. It is a shameful reflection of Republicans’ true priorities: they care more about maintaining Donald Trump’s approval than they do about serving their own constituents.”
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas
“From reimbursing Texas for border security funding to giving working families significant tax relief, the OBBB makes Americans safer and more prosperous.
“It improves take-home pay for my constituents, helps farmers and ranchers protect themselves from the ‘death tax’, strengthens our national defense, and unleashes energy production right here at home.
“This bill is an important step forward as Congress continues to codify President Trump’s agenda.”
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-New Mexico
“Republicans just chose to pass a bill that will make life harder and more expensive for the American people. They chose the billionaire class over the working class. The pain this will cause will echo for generations.
“When millions lose their health care, local hospitals close, utility bills skyrocket, and kids are left hungry, New Mexicans will remember today as the day Republicans sold them out to billionaires.”
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
“The Republican budget bill is an abomination that abandons working families and threatens the health and well-being of New Mexicans. Their vote to slash funding for health care and child nutrition to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-rich isn’t just bad policy—it’s an outright betrayal.
“Make no mistake: this Republican budget will hit New Mexico hard. From cuts to Medicaid funding that keeps our rural hospitals open, to reductions in food assistance for children, to threats against education programs that ensure our kids have a brighter future, this budget puts politics over people. It also amounts to an egregious tax hike on Americans who will pay higher prices for health care, electricity, and other services.
“As governor, I will do everything in my power to mitigate harm from this budget, which President Trump and Congressional Republicans foisted on the American people without adequate hearings, debate and transparency. I’m prepared to call a special session if necessary to protect New Mexicans from their fiscal assault.
“My administration is going through this budget with a fine-tooth comb, identifying every threat to our state, and we’re going to fight like hell to protect what matters most.”
Democratic Party of New Mexico
“Republicans are on the record with their broken promises. Clearly, nothing is more important to their party than helping the wealthy elite become even richer, no matter how many working families across the country their bill will harm.
“With impending hospital shutdowns and tens of thousands of New Mexicans who will see their SNAP food assistance and healthcare ripped away, it’s a disgrace that the Republican Party of New Mexico not only failed to take a stand for working families, but blindly threw their support behind this billionaires-first bill. As New Mexicans suffer from the fallout of this bill heading into midterms, DPNM promises to remind voters that Republicans own the biggest betrayal of the working class in our country’s history.
“The Democratic Party of New Mexico could not be more proud of all five of our Senators and Representatives who fought tooth and nail for working New Mexicans throughout the legislative process of this bill. Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans were undeterred in their fealty to Trump and billionaires.”
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