Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' sparks a midterm showdown: Who gains the upper hand — Republicans or Democrats?

Time of India

a day ago

GOP Celebrates Legislative Victory as Fulfilling Mandate
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With the passage of President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and policy package, the political spotlight now shifts to the 2026 midterm elections . As Republicans hail the legislation as a triumph of conservative governance, Democrats are mobilizing against what they describe as a broad assault on social safety nets. The measure, dubbed Trump's Megabill, is poised to become a defining issue in the upcoming electoral contest.The $4.5 trillion legislative package, which includes permanent tax code changes, border security expansion, and controversial cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs, has not only reshaped policy but also reignited fierce partisan debate — one that both parties believe could shape control of Congress next year.President Trump showcased the bill's passage at a rally in Iowa, declaring it the fulfillment of his 2024 campaign promises. 'Every major promise I made to the people of Iowa in 2024 became a promise kept,' Trump told a cheering crowd.The Republican leadership, still navigating internal divisions, has largely coalesced around the megabill, viewing it as a major legislative win. It codifies Trump's earlier tax reforms and adds new measures such as tax exemptions on tips and a senior citizen tax deduction of $6,000 for those earning up to $75,000 annually.'This bill is not only about taxes — it's about showing voters we can deliver on our agenda,' said Mark Bednar, a Republican strategist and former aide to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. 'The GOP should lean into this, especially as we approach the August recess and 2026 campaign cycle.'Democrats, reeling from setbacks in previous elections, see the bill as an opportunity to reframe the political conversation. Trump's Megabill, they argue, prioritises wealthy Americans and corporations while slashing lifelines for vulnerable communities.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., delivered an impassioned nine-hour speech on the House floor, highlighting individuals affected by proposed Medicaid and SNAP reductions. 'Shame on the people who've decided to launch that kind of all-out assault on the health and the well-being of everyday Americans,' he sai, as quoted in a report by ABC News.According to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office, the bill will eliminate health coverage for 12 million Americans and strip 3 million of food stamp benefits over the next decade. The CBO also projected a $3.4 trillion increase in the national deficit as a result of the policy changes.Polling data reflects the public's ambivalence. A June Quinnipiac poll found that just 29% of voters supported the bill, while 55% opposed it. Another Fox News survey showed similar trends, with 59% against and only 38% in favour. Notably, nearly half of those polled felt the bill would negatively affect their own families.Opinions on work requirements for Medicaid recipients remain more evenly split: 47% support the provision, while 46% oppose it, as per a report by ABC News.Still, strategists on both sides believe the real electoral implications will depend on how effectively the parties communicate the bill's provisions and consequences to voters. 'It's going to be crucial for Democrats to explain the long-term impact of Medicaid cuts and rising debt,' said Dan Sena, a Democratic strategist who ran the party's 2018 congressional campaign.Democrats have drawn parallels to 2018, when public backlash over GOP tax reforms and failed attempts to repeal Obamacare helped them reclaim the House. However, analysts caution that the 2026 midterms present a different landscape.At the time, Republicans were defending 25 districts won by Hillary Clinton. Today, just 13 Democrats hold seats in districts carried by Trump, while only three Republicans represent districts won by Vice President Kamala Harris.Moreover, some moderate Democrats have cautiously endorsed elements of Trump's Megabill, including the no-tax-on-tips provision, complicating efforts to present a unified opposition.Republicans, meanwhile, are showing a more consolidated front under Trump's leadership. While dissent did emerge — notably from Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who opposed the Medicaid changes — such resistance remains isolated. After voting against the bill, Tillis announced he would not seek re-election, following reported pressure from Trump loyalists.President Trump made it clear during his Iowa rally that he intends to use the megabill as a campaign centrepiece. 'With all of the things we did with the tax cuts and rebuilding our military, not one Democrat voted for us," he said. "And I think we use it in the campaign that's coming up — the midterms, because we've got to beat them."Trump's Megabill is a $4.5 trillion legislative package recently passed by the U.S. Congress. It includes permanent tax reforms, expanded border security, and significant cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs like SNAP.Starting in 2027, states must verify that 'able-bodied' Medicaid recipients work at least 80 hours per month, unless exempted (e.g., students, caregivers, disabled individuals). Parents of children over 13 will also be subject to these checks.