2 days ago
Democrat Warned To 'Avoid Vulgar Speak' When Ripping Trump-Backed Bill
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A Democratic congressman was chided Wednesday after he accused Republicans of "s*******" on the middle class by trying to shepherd the One Big Beautiful Bill Act through the House of Representatives after it passed the Senate by the barest of margins.
Why It Matters
The episode underscored the deep tensions surrounding President Donald Trump's flagship legislation, officially named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which has drawn sharp rebuke from Democrats as well as some Republicans ahead of a looming self-imposed July 4 deadline for final passage.
The Trump-backed bill aims to make permanent sweeping tax cuts passed during Trump's first term that disproportionately benefit wealthier Americans. It also increases funding for border security and immigration enforcement.
The tax cuts and immigration initiatives are paid for largely by deep spending reductions in Medicaid and food assistance programs, which critics say harm working-class, elderly and low-income Americans.
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the measure could result in 11.8 million more uninsured Americans by 2034 and add nearly $3.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade.
Rep. Josh Riley, D-N.Y., listens during the House Agriculture Committee markup the "Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025" in the Longworth House Office Building on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Rep. Josh Riley, D-N.Y., listens during the House Agriculture Committee markup the "Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025" in the Longworth House Office Building on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images
What To Know
On Wednesday, while the legislation was being debated in the House of Representatives, Democratic Representative Josh Riley delivered an impassioned speech accusing his colleagues across the aisle of "s******* on the middle class."
"Where I come from, we make things," the New York congressman said. "Generations woke up before the crack of dawn, went off to the factory, punched a clock, worked their hands to the bone, came home and counted nickels to make sure they could keep a roof over their kids' heads, keep food on the kids' tables."
He went on: "All we've asked for is a fair shot and for this place to stop screwing us over. But you can't help yourselves. You got us into terrible trade deals that made Wall Street rich and shipped all of our jobs overseas. You bail out the banks while neglecting rural America. You rigged the economy so the corporate [political action committees] that are funding your campaigns make huge profits, jacking up costs on folks who can't afford it."
"And now this. This bill will kill good, blue-collar manufacturing jobs that we need to rebuild the economy in this country," Riley said. "It closes rural hospitals. It defunds healthcare. All to give trillions of dollars in tax cuts to your cronies."
He concluded: "Don't tell me you give a s*** about the middle class when all you are doing is s******* on the middle class."
Republican Representative Steve Womack, the debate chairman, stepped in to warn Riley over his language, telling his colleague to "avoid vulgar speak" and adding, "We do have families."
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
