‘Full speed ahead’ for Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill,’ Spokane Rep. says

With a narrow majority in the House, Republicans are pushing hard to pass President Donald Trump’s sweeping, “big beautiful bill.”

According to ABC News, the bill combines Trump’s key 2024 campaign promises, including permanent tax cuts, a significant border security boost, and major changes to social programs like Medicaid and SNAP.

 Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Washington) joined “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH to discuss whether the legislation will pass or die in committee. 

“Regarding where things stand, I think it’s full speed ahead,” Baumgartner said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of sausage being made right now. Still, I am very confident that Republicans will unify and deliver a bill that makes significant investments in the American economy, reduces taxes, helps reduce wasteful spending, and makes America more secure.”

The bill, which includes reforms to Medicaid, tax policies, and border security, has provoked significant debate both within the party and across the aisle. As Speaker Mike Johnson prepares for a vote, internal divisions and last-minute negotiations threaten to delay its passage.

“So there are currently 53 Republicans in the Senate, 47 Democrats out of that 100-member body,” Baumgartner said. “However, the Senate has an internal rule that almost everything requires 60 votes to end debate, so almost everything that happens in Washington requires bipartisanship in the Senate. The exception to that is matters related to budget and taxes under some narrow parameters.”

Medicaid and SNAP reforms: Cuts and work requirements

One of the more controversial sections of the bill is the shakeup of Medicaid and SNAP programs.

Stricter work requirements would be imposed on Medicaid recipients, specifically for able-bodied adults. Republican leaders argue that the bill does not “cut” Medicaid but instead aims to address waste, fraud, and abuse within the system.

“There will be more money spent on Medicaid next year than this year. I repeat, there will be more money spent next year than this year. There are some very valid reforms. On waste, fraud, and abuse, that get illegal immigrants who shouldn’t even be on Medicaid, off of Medicaid, and put in work requirements,” Baumgartner said. “Instead of incentivizing folks that can work, these are able-bodied individuals, instead of these folks that are sitting on the couch eating Cheetos, playing video games in mom’s basement, and helping them get back in the labor market.”

The legislation also cuts SNAP funding by $230 billion over the next decade. It adds work requirements for adults aged 55 to 64 and children, and shifts some of the program’s costs to the states, a move that has faced strong opposition from Democrats, according to ABC News.

Tax reforms: permanent Trump cuts and new tax breaks

The bill aims to make Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, a move some conservatives warn could increase the deficit. It also eliminates federal income taxes on tips and overtime for workers earning under $160,000. It raises the SALT deduction cap to $30,000 for joint filers earning less than $400,000, potentially benefiting high-tax states like New York and California.

“So, this is a very good bill for jobs, the economy, and taxes. It is not the silver bullet to fix everything that is wrong with America from a conservative perspective,” Baumgartner said. “So, there are sticking points regarding what it will do to the national debt and how much savings actually happen. And then there are sticking points on things like this ridiculous SALT deduction, where states like New York and California can have their wasteful state government subsidized because their taxpayers can have a write-off on their federal income tax.”

Trump’s bill would also create MAGA savings accounts for children, offering tax-free savings with an initial government-funded deposit of $1,000.

A $50 billion Investment in border security

Trump has always prioritized border security.

His bill would allocate $50 billion to finish building the southern border wall with Mexico. This funding would also give the ability to hire more border patrol agents, customs officers, and ICE personnel.

So what’s next?

Revisions to the bill could alter key provisions as it heads to the Senate. To fight back, Republicans in the House are working hard to deliver on Trump’s vision as they navigate bipartisan negotiations and internal party disagreements.

“I know there’s some disagreement on this bill, but look at all the great things in it: extension of low taxes, investments in American energy, improvements in educational choice, a ton of improvements in border security, and modernizing our military,” Baumgartner said. “The task right now is, do we want to let those things that disagree we disagree on blow the whole deal apart? Or do you want to unify and find 213 Republicans out of 220 to come together and vote this thing out?”

With the clock ticking and high stakes, all eyes are on Capitol Hill as the final negotiations unfold.

Listen to The Jason Rantz Show on weekday afternoons from 3 p.m. -7 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here. Follow Jason Rantz on X, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

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