GOP Senator Bashes Constituents Who Say Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Cuts Will Kill People: 'Well, We're All Going to Die'
Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, bashed constituents who said Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" would kill people
"Well, we're all going to die," Ernst responded
The bill narrowly passed in the House of Representatives on May 22 in a 215-214 voteSen. Joni Ernst is defending the controversial "Big, Beautiful Bill."
While speaking at a town hall, the Iowa Republican condemned critics of the "Big, Beautiful Bill" that passed in the House of Representatives on May 22. The bill, should it be signed into law, would introduce significant cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by implementing more requirements on possible beneficiaries.
An attendee in the crowd interrupted Ernst, per The Hill, yelling that people are "going to die" as a result of the reforms.
"Well, we're all going to die," Ernst replied. Angry jeers erupted from the crowd in response, to which she replied, 'For heaven's sakes. For heaven's sakes, folks.'
Ernst then tried to regain control of the town hall and offered her explanation of the bill's benefits.
'What you don't want to do is listen to me when I say that we are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable,' she said. 'Those that meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid, we will protect. We will protect them. Medicaid is extremely important here in the state of Iowa.'
She continued, 'Those that are not eligible, those that are working and have opportunity for benefits elsewhere, then they should receive those benefits elsewhere and leave those dollars for those that are eligible for Medicaid."
Ernst added that undocumented residents "will be coming off" Medicaid — a sentiment partially drowned out by protests from the crowd, per The Hill.
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The "Big, Beautiful Bill," which narrowly passed in the House in a party-line 215-214 vote, revives President Donald Trump's tax cuts from 2017; prioritizes funding for deportation and border efforts; diminishes green energy tax incentives; increases the national deficit by $3.8 trillion; and, as discussed at the town hall, puts stricter limits on who can claim benefits from Medicaid and SNAP.
The bill has proved controversial already. Equipped with multiple facets to bolster government spending, the "Big, Beautiful Bill" appeared to be a part of a rift between Trump and Elon Musk, who spearheaded the Department of Government Efficiency's cost-cutting initiatives. On May 28, Musk said he was "disappointed to see the massive spending bill ... [which] undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing."
The bill next has to pass in the Senate before Trump can sign it into law.
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