Louisiana leaders react to passing of President Donald Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Several lawmakers are speaking out after the passage of President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill.

On Tuesday, the Senate passed the bill after tense negotiations that lasted 27 hours. Every Democrat and three Republicans voted against the bill. U.S. Vice President JD Vance made the tie-breaking vote to advance the bill.

President Donald Trump’s bill includes a permanent extension of the 2017 tax cuts, no taxes on tips, and $350 billion for border security.

The Congressional Budget Office said the bill would cut $1.5 trillion in federal spending over the next ten years, and about 12 million Americans would lose Medicaid coverage.

The House now has to vote on all the Senate’s changes.

Louisiana leaders reactions

Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter released a statement saying that the Senate “took a bad bill and made it even worse.”

“The GOP Senate is celebrating like they just won the Super Bowl —but what they’ve really done is take a bad bill and make it even worse.

“Let me break it down in plain language.

“This so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is filled with provisions that would harm everyday Americans—especially those in Louisiana. It slashes Medicaid, threatens critical flood protection and disaster response, and makes it harder for working families to access healthcare, housing, and higher education.

“And now they’ve made it even worse—adding more corporate giveaways, cutting energy assistance for seniors, and attacking programs that support our schools, hospitals, and historically marginalized communities.

“It also threatens resources for our veterans, weakens supports for people living with disabilities, and undermines our efforts to address environmental and climate challenges that directly affect the Gulf Coast.

“They’re calling it a win. But here in New Orleans, in our river parishes, coastal communities, and urban centers throughout our state, we know better. This bill is a disaster in disguise, and our constituents will bear the burden if it becomes law.

“Now that this legislation is returning to the U.S. House of Representatives, our Republican colleagues have a second chance—a chance to put Louisiana before Washington, people before politics, and facts before spin.

“Through our three C’s—Congress, the Courts, and the Community—we are pushing back. We are standing firm for our families, our future, and our fundamental rights.

To the people of Louisiana: keep the pressure on. Call your representatives. Make your voices heard. Demand action that reflects our values, not special interests. We see what’s happening. We’re organized. And we will not let this pass without a fight.”
Congressman Troy Carter Sr.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy stands with President Trump as the bill advances to the House.

Cassidy wrote, “VICTORY: The Senate just passed President Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill, which includes my Educational Choice for Children Act.

No child should be trapped in a failing school. This is the FIRST federal school choice program in AMERICAN HISTORY, and it will finally give parents the freedom to choose the best education for their children.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy

Congressman Steve Scalise and Speaker Mike Johnson shared a joint statement about the bill passing.

“The House will work quickly to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill that enacts President Trump’s full America First agenda by the Fourth of July. The American people gave us a clear mandate, and after four years of Democrat failure, we intend to deliver without delay.   Republicans were elected to do exactly what this bill achieves: secure the border, make tax cuts permanent, unleash American energy dominance, restore peace through strength, cut wasteful spending, and return to a government that puts Americans first.   This bill is President Trump’s agenda, and we are making it law. House Republicans are ready to finish the job and put the One Big Beautiful Bill on President Trump’s desk in time for Independence Day.”
Congressman Steve Scalise and Speaker Mike Johnson

Congressman Cleo Fields released a video expressing his reasons for voting against the bill.

“In Louisiana, we got 1.6 million people who benefit from Medicaid, 200,000 would lose their benefits. I’m not for that. It also takes food out of innocent babies mouths. And then to add insult to injury, it gives a tax break to the wealthiest people in America. If that’s not enough, it also increases the deficit by over $3 trillion. I’m not for it now, I’m not for it tomorrow, I won’t be for it forever. I can’t wait to cast my vote against this ‘Big, Ugly Bill’ because it’s simply unconscionable to the people of Louisiana.”
Congressman Cleo Fields

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