Local politicians react to the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act’s” passage in the Senate

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Some politicians reacted to the GOP megabill, also known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” that just passed the Senate.

Indiana

U.S. Senator Todd Young

U.S. Senator Todd Young released the following statement after voting for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will deliver the largest tax cut in history for working and middle-class Hoosiers, expand the child tax credit, spur new economic growth and job creation, and advance President Trump’s agenda.

“This package includes my legislation to incentivize job-creating R&D activity in the United States to drive our innovation future and protect our national security. These critical R&D provisions will help America outcompete and out-innovate China.

“The legislation also includes my bill to leverage private sector investment to increase the stock of affordable housing in both urban and rural communities. This provision will help tackle the housing affordability crisis head on to help Hoosier families, expand our workforce, and strengthen our communities.

“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act provides important resources to support and modernize our military. It also will significantly invest in border security to build more of our border wall and hire more border patrol officers. The bill also includes sensible reforms to strengthen government assistance programs by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse and improving work requirements for able-bodied adults without young children or disabled dependents.

“While I wish this legislation included additional fiscal reforms, this is a strong bill that will benefit Hoosier families and increase the security and prosperity of all Americans. I urge my House colleagues to pass this legislation and send it to the President’s desk.”

U.S. Senator Todd Young

The legislation passed the Senate with a vote of 50 to 50, with the Vice President breaking the tie. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives.

Illinois

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin released the following statement after voting against Senate Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed 50-50 with Vice President Vance breaking the tie vote. Sen. Durbin’s office says every Senate Democrat voted against the measure.

“Let’s make one thing clear – there is nothing ‘beautiful’ about slashing health care coverage for 17 million Americans all so President Trump can deliver a shiny tax cut to the wealthiest individuals and corporations. To make matters worse, Senate Republicans voted to close rural hospitals and take food off the table of millions of Americans, including children, seniors, and veterans, to pay for this outrageous giveaway.

“My Republican colleagues will now have to explain to their constituents why they chose to rip away health insurance from families so that millionaires and billionaires can enjoy a hefty tax break.”

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

Sen. Durbin’s concerns are that the Senate Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” will slash $930 billion in funding for Medicaid, in addition to more than $300 billion from the “Affordable Care Act,” resulting in rural and children’s hospital closures, shuttering of nursing homes and 17 million Americans losing their health coverage. 

Kentucky

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell released the following statement regarding passage of the Senate version of the “Reconciliation Bill”:

“The American people sent President Trump and Republican majorities to Washington with a clear mandate: secure the border, restore peace through strength and American energy dominance, and give working families and small businesses relief from the Biden economy.

“Our votes today are a step toward fulfilling that duty. We’re bolstering border security, investing in programs that assist our farmers, raising take-home pay for working Kentuckians, and preventing the largest tax hike in American history.

“In the realm of national defense, there is still more to be done. Reconciliation was an opportunity to make an urgent, additive investment on top of a steadily increasing base budget, not an invitation to offload major annual priorities to a one-time injection of funds. Largely missing this opportunity makes the Congress’ work to secure robust topline defense funding even more important, and I will continue to urge my colleagues and the Administration to meet growing and coordinated threats to America’s security with the resources they demand.”

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell

The bill now returns to the House of Representatives.

This is a developing story.