Oregon Democrats, Gov. Kotek slam Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Most of Oregon’s U.S. congressional delegation spoke out against President Donald Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” on Wednesday, one day after the piece of legislation passed in the Senate.

The group of Oregon lawmakers was joined by Governor Tina Kotek, the state treasurer and health professionals, who warned that thousands of people could lose health coverage.

The potential cuts to Medicaid were of the utmost concern at the virtual press conference, led by Representative Maxine Dexter in Washington, D.C. Democrats warned rural communities in Oregon could be impacted with hospital closures. In addition, officials said 200,000 Oregonians could lose their health care.

“Congressional Republicans are betraying the American people by forcing a bill through that will make Oregonians sicker, hungrier and poorer, at a time when Americans are already struggling to make ends meet,” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici.

The Oregon Democrats who voted against the bill claim it will explode the national debt, reduce food assistance for millions of Americans and jeopardize health care through cuts to Medicaid.

After passing the Senate, the Big Beautiful Bill is being held up in the House.

“House Bill One isn’t just a budget bill. It’s really a threat to the health and financial stability of over a million Oregonians,” said Dr. Brian Duty with OHSU and the Oregon Medical Association. “And stripping coverage from vulnerable individuals, especially children, won’t stop them from getting sick.”

Gov. Kotek said she asked the only Republican in Oregon’s delegation, U.S. Congressman Cliff Bentz, to vote against the Bill, saying it would be devastating to his constituency in Southern and Eastern Oregon.

KOIN 6 News reached out to Rep. Bentz, who was not at the press conference. We will update this story if we hear back.

President Trump said he wants to sign the bill on the Fourth of July, this Friday.