House Passes Budget Amid Controversy
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a budget supported by Trump on Thursday, but Democrats are raising alarms about its potential impact on Alabama’s most vulnerable food assistance programs. They argue that it will harm healthcare services, all to fund yet another tax break for the wealthy. While Republicans celebrated the passage, many reportedly harbor concerns about how it will affect the people they are meant to represent.
Dubbed “One Big Beautiful Bill” by its Republican creator, it has been criticized as the “Big Ugh Bill.” The measure proposes over $1 trillion in tax cuts for billionaires and corporations but simultaneously slashes more than $1 trillion from essential services like healthcare and food aid. The trade-offs seem harsh—while billionaires gain tax breaks, Alabama faces a $120 million increase just to help struggling families access basic sustenance.
Representative Shomari from Mobile, who voted against the bill, issued a pointed statement Thursday evening, stating, “This bill is merely a handout for the rich. If you’re getting a tax break of over $1 million annually, that’s nearly three times what the median income is in Alabama. Most people here make around $50,000, which translates to, well, not much at all.” He went on to criticize the claim that Republicans are fiscally responsible, as the bill could contribute trillions to the national debt. “If we’re going to spend more, it should be to help Americans keep their homes. This bill spells trouble for Alabama; there’s nothing beautiful about it.”
Proposals were introduced to prevent Republicans from shifting the burden of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to states, but Republicans blocked these amendments without discussion. If the legislation is enacted, Alabama will need to cover an extra $120 million—an increase of 30%—to maintain SNAP benefits. For many in Alabama, with one in four residents depending on SNAP, this is a significant concern.
Representative Terri Sewell from Birmingham also opposed the budget, labeling it a financial betrayal. She remarked, “While the rest of America was asleep, House Republicans were busy catering to billionaires. Instead of cutting costs, Trump and Congressional Republicans have committed a major betrayal of working families, leading us toward greater inequality and needless suffering.” She expressed concern for millions of Americans adversely affected by the bill and shared her anxiety over potential losses to her child’s Medicaid coverage.
She concluded, “House Republicans might think they can ignore this, but Americans are aware. They won’t forget this betrayal.” Estimates indicate that over 190,000 residents in Alabama could lose medical coverage, and more than 750,000 rely on food assistance at risk under this new budget.
Robin Heiden, the executive director of Alabama Allease, condemned the bill as a “moral failure.” She stated, “It’s unjust to harm those who are struggling to benefit those already far ahead, yet Congress has enacted a law doing just that. This isn’t just a moral failure; it’s poor policy, detrimental not just to Alabama but to the nation. It undermines the bipartisan strides made in food affordability and maternal healthcare this year.”
Heiden cautioned that the budget would eliminate vital state-level initiatives designed to help families rise out of poverty, adding that “This harsh budget will strip away food aid, health insurance, and other crucial services from countless Alabama families striving to meet their basic needs.” The billions in tax cuts will benefit the wealthy, while essential services for low-income individuals face drastic cuts.
Even as Republican leaders in Washington celebrate the bill as a sign of “economic freedom” and a way to “rationalize government,” privately, some GOP members from states like Alabama have voiced uncertainties about its long-term implications. Publicly, however, many seem to suppress their doubts, likely out of loyalty to Trump and fear of the challenges posed by MAGA supporters.
