A big beautiful bill with a big ugly price tag

What happened to the MAGA Big Beautiful Bill?

Its roots go way back to President Donald J. Trump’s campaign for a second term and his attempt to force Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. Trump was impeached for “abuse of power” by the House. The Senate voted to acquit.

Before Biden’s inauguration, President Trump was impeached by the House for “incitement of insurrection” for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on our Capitol. The Senate voted to acquit. (The only other attack on our Capitol was the burning of Washington by British troops in 1814.)

With Biden now in the White House, Republicans set-about to challenge history on all fronts using the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” as a guide for restructuring our Federal government at every level, e.g. Legislative, Judicial, and Executive.

Their proposal was commonly known as the “Tax Act” — or elsewhere — Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill. The final vote: Senate 51–50 with Vice President Vance voting and the House 218–214, thereby avoiding a government shutdown.

(You see! 1-2 votes can make a difference.)

President Trump signed his Big, Beautiful Bill on July 4, 2025. Its 50 component articles, spread across federal and state targets, are found at https:/financialsolutionadvisors.com/blog/ one-big-beautiful-bill-act-summary/.

Promoted by Republicans as a mission to “restore fiscal sanity” by cutting $1.5 trillion from federal agencies — but most “savings” were transferred into Immigration and Pentagon budgets.

When the tariff wars are included his beautiful bill has a projected increase in our national debt close to $40 trillion, an all-time high.

The Congressional Budget Office (often hidden by Republicans) estimates OBBB will result in 10.9 million Americans losing health insurance while government revenues are projected to fall by $4.5 trillion, thanks to those corporate and wealthy tax breaks.

As an example, our 10% high earners income will rise by 2.7% over the coming decade while 10% of low earners will see incomes fall by 3.1% due to cuts in federal family aid.

ABC News recently cited a Government Accountability Office report on downsizing during the Elon Musk era resulted in massive federal layoffs with firings, voluntary resignations, and buy-outs.

Nearly 140,000 workers were involved, costing $6.7 billion in federal funds. Now, as we prepare for a continuation of OBBB into the last two years of Trump’s presidency, the White House is introducing the possibility of Armageddon.

His prediction: “If they (Democrats) win you will see this country fall into the worst depression ever — twice as bad as 1929. Worse than the Biden years.”

I’m going to guess that the next two years will fall on his shoulders to create a self-fulfilling prophecy. His Executive Orders to achieve “fiscal sanity” are focused on reduction or elimination of agencies — such as (short list) the Department of Education, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Public Broadcasting, US Interagency Council on Homelessness, Community Development Fund, and Minority Business Development Agency.

Where are the savings going? Should I mention the rural “Zombie” Medical Centers kept open with millions of federal dollars but lacking sufficient staff to provide services.

Need I also mention the private funds promised for the Grand Ballroom? Who pays has not been clarified. Trump said $400 million in private monies will build it, but current estimates portend a minimum cost of $900 million.

And should I mention the prospect of bribery? Unlike past presidents, Trump pardoned businesses (saving them $200 million in penalties) as well as individual criminal debts that totaled $1.5 billion. Did they share their rewards with anyone?

How about the government’s very lucrative industry contracts. Son-in-law Jared Kushner’s capital investment firm, Affinity Partners, has gained more than $6 billion in US and foreign contracts.

It’s old news that the White House issued more than 1,500 pardons for political allies and those involved in the Capitol attack. Were any “bought” in some fashion? Have I mentioned Musk’s $25 million donation to the GOP? Were there others? Yes …

President Trump is now loudly proclaiming his remaining two years will bring about a “Golden Age,” as he sweetens the pot with a million people receiving a $500 rebate (likely to low) for Affordable Care premiums.

He will also provide every “American” adult a $5,000 check — if Republicans keep control of Congress. Really?

Have I mentioned his efforts to undo the citizenship clause in our 1868 Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution? “All persons born or naturalized in the United States … are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

Which, if changed to his wishes, will have no cost savings but include a racist slant that provides further fodder for ICE, citizen protests, and the use of national guard troops.

Peter Brian Hegseth, Secretary of “Defense,” has the president’s back, although Senate confirmation required Vice President Vance’s tie-breaking vote to seat Hegseth. This was only the second time in U.S. history a Cabinet nominee was confirmed by one vote.