Krishnamoorthi: ‘Big Beautiful Bill' is anything but that
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A Chicago-area federal lawmaker also used alliteration to voice his opinion on the White House's spending plan, known as the 'Big Beautiful Bill.'
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said the practical effect of the House's overnight passage of the spending plan by a single vote was that it will 'end up as a large, lousy law.'
The chamber cleared the sprawling package in a 215-214 early-morning vote after days of marathon meetings, intense negotiations that spanned both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, and a series of last-minute changes to the bill that were crucial in coalescing Republicans around the measure.
The vote was on strict party lines with two Republicans voting no and one Republican voting present.
'It slashes the social safety net to the tune of trillions of dollars. Medicaid alone will be so devastated that 800,000 to 900,000 Illinoisians, some in Central Illinois, are going to lose access to their sole source of healthcare,' said Krishnamoorthi, who grew up in Peoria and graduated from Richwoods High School.
Krishnamoorthi whose family lived in public housing and who used food stamp, said such cuts are personal to him.
'But on top of that, it's going to layer an additional $2 to $3 trillion in debt on the country and for what purpose, it's to fund tax cuts for the wealthiest among us,' he said. 'This doesn't make any sense. it's going to harm Illinoisians up and down the state. And it's going to harm our economy as well.'
Reaction from the vote, which was done shortly after dawn, was also on party lines.
U.S. Rep. Darin Lahood, a Republican from Dunlap, praised the vote.
'The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a bold, comprehensive piece of legislation that will create a stronger and more prosperous future for all Americans. This bill will bring predictability and certainty by providing much-needed tax relief for Americans, small businesses, farmers, veterans, and seniors,' he said in a news release. ' By lowering the tax burden on families and businesses, we are creating an economic environment where they can thrive.
'The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a transformative approach that will not only strengthen our economy and support our families, but it will also secure our border, bolster our military, and make our government programs more efficient. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to move quickly and pass this bill,' he added.
His colleague, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, who also represents parts of Peoria, called it a partisan move.
'I voted no against a partisan Republican bill because I'm against taking food away from my hungry neighbors and striping them of their health insurance, all so the rich can get a big break on their taxes,' said the Moline Democrat. 'I will continue to speak out against a bill that will blow a $5 trillion dollar hole in our national debt and go after the most vulnerable among us: our kids, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.'
The bill will now go to the U.S. Senate where the GOP has a 53-47 seat majority. One of Illinois' senators, Richard 'Dick' Durbin, a Democrat and the minority whip, voiced his displeasure.
'Republicans' reconciliation bill dismantles the American Dream and strips health care, food assistance, and more away from millions of hardworking Americans,' he said. 'Republicans are taking a chainsaw to critical services that American families depend on and using them as a piggy bank for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. It's simple: Billionaires win. And American families lose, all thanks to President Trump.'
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