Virginia leaders react to Senate’s passing of President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill Act
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- After the U.S. Senate passed President Donald Trump's One Big, Beautiful Bill Act following hours of negotiations, Virginia leaders are expressing their praise and condemnation.
Vice President J. D. Vance broke a 50-50 tie vote on Monday, July 1, after hours of amendment votes on the Senate floor throughout the night. The Senate passed the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which is then expected to return to the House of Representatives for a vote on Wednesday, July 2.
The bill includes tax cuts, boosts border security and defense programs, restricts Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and more.
Republican Congressman John McGuire (VA-05) shared his support for the bill over social media before it passed, specifically praising a projected increase in take-home pay for some Virginia families.
"Let's PASS the One Big Beautiful Bill," McGuire said. "It will deliver up to a $14,800 increase in yearly take-home pay for a family of four in the Commonwealth."
After the bill passed by the Senate, Virginia leaders had mixed opinions about the its provisions.
Republican Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) took to social media to express his support for the bill doing away with the National Firearms Act (NFA) tax on suppressors, or silencers, as well as other firearms, but shared that he believes restrictions should be further loosened for gun owners.
"I'm encouraged that the Senate bill eliminates the NFA tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, shotguns, and AOWs," Cline said. "But this falls short of what we’ve been fighting for. The registry and unconstitutional restrictions are still in place. We must keep pushing for full passage of my bill, the Hearing Protection Act, to deliver real relief to law-abiding gun owners."
Previously: VA Dems say Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ will hurt Virginians on SNAP
Democratic Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine provided a joint statement condemning the bill, in that it would restrict Medicaid, cut nutrition assistance and other programs. Both voted no on the bill and introduced multiple amendments, which were blocked by Republicans.
"Today, Republicans jammed through a partisan megabill that slashes Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and other critical programs that Americans rely on in order to pay for massive tax breaks to the very rich," Warner and Kaine said. "It’s clear that the Trump Administration and congressional Republicans are only interested in helping the wealthiest—even if it means ripping off working- and middle-class people, killing jobs, and hurting our economy. Americans deserve better than this. We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure all Virginians have the support they need in the wake of this disastrous legislation.”
