In a dramatic turn of events, Democrats have voiced their outrage following the recent passage of Donald Trump’s budget bill. This sweeping tax and spending bill, which passed in the House without any Democratic support, has ignited fierce criticism from party leaders, setting the stage for potential attack lines as the party gears up for the upcoming midterm elections.
Following the bill's passage on Thursday, Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, issued a scathing statement, declaring, “Today, Donald Trump and the Republican party sent a message to America: if you are not a billionaire, we don’t give a damn about you.” He emphasized that while the GOP continues to cater to their billionaire donors, everyday Americans will suffer dire consequences, including loss of jobs, critical medical care, and even lives. Martin affirmed that Democrats are mobilizing to ensure voters understand who is responsible for what he called “one of the worst bills in our nation’s history.”
The narrow passage of the bill, which saw only two Republican dissenters—Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania—has drawn attention to the lack of bipartisan support. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez highlighted the contradictions within the bill, particularly its funding for immigration enforcement juxtaposed against significant cuts to social benefits for working-class Americans. She pointed out that while the bill grants permanent tax breaks for billionaires, it allows vital tax breaks for low-income workers to expire within three years.
Ocasio-Cortez further criticized the cuts to Medicaid expansion, which she argued would strip eligibility from tipped employees and reduce crucial subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. “This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion,” she remarked, emphasizing the bill's potential to expand ICE's budget beyond that of other federal agencies, heightening concerns about its implications for vulnerable populations.
Critics of the bill have pointed to troubling remarks made by Republican leaders that reflect a dismissive attitude towards their constituents' concerns. Senator Mitch McConnell reportedly told fellow Republicans that those expressing worries about Medicaid would eventually “get over it.” Similarly, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst faced backlash for her callous response to constituents who voiced fears about losing healthcare, stating, “Well, we all are going to die.” Such comments have intensified the outrage among Democrats, who argue that the bill will have devastating effects on health care access for millions.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib condemned the bill as “disgusting” and an “act of violence against our communities,” asserting that the Republicans’ indifference to the health care crisis is inexcusable. She emphasized the responsibility of Republican leaders for the “50,000 people who will die unnecessarily every year because of this deadly budget.”
Senator Raphael Warnock echoed these sentiments, stating, “There is no sugarcoating this. This is a dark day for our country.” He outlined how the Republican agenda jeopardizes healthcare access for millions and threatens the stability of rural hospitals and nursing homes across Georgia, all while providing tax cuts for the wealthy.
Both left-leaning and right-leaning budget hawks have criticized the implications of this budget for the national debt. Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, referred to the bill as “the single most expensive, dishonest, and reckless budget reconciliation bill ever.” She expressed concern over the lack of regard for the country’s fiscal health and the long-term impact on future generations.
In response, the House Majority PAC, a Democratic political action committee, condemned the bill, stating, “House Republicans just voted – again – to jack up costs, gut health care, and reward the elite with tax breaks.” They warned that Republicans will bear the consequences of this unpopular agenda in the 2026 elections.
Jasmine Crockett, a Texas Democrat, encapsulated the sentiments of many when she declared, “Republicans didn’t pass this bill for the people. They passed it to please Trump, protect the powerful, and push cruelty disguised as policy.” As the fallout from this budget bill continues, it remains clear that Democrats are poised to leverage this issue as a rallying point in their campaign strategies for the upcoming midterm elections.
