WASHINGTON – Republican North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer believes President Donald Trump’s so-named ‘big, beautiful bill’ will pass in the House of Representatives.
“This bill is going to be better to pass than not pass,” Cramer said on “What’s On Your Mind?” with Scott Hennen on The Flag.
The tax cuts package was nicknamed the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ by Trump, which the White House describes as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to make good on the promises Republicans have made.”
“If all we did is make all the Trump tax cuts from 2017 permanent law, I’d call it a victory. If we do that and fund more for border security and national security, that’s even better,” said Cramer.
The 1,116 page bill approves $5 trillion in tax cuts according to a Joint Committee on Taxation estimate that are partially offset by spending cuts and changes to the tax code.
The bill also has a nearly $800 million reduction in Medicaid spending. The government program provides health insurance for people with limited income and resources.
To be eligible for Medicaid under the bill, there would be community engagement requirements of 80 hours a month of work, education or service for able-bodied adults without dependents.
That would kick in on January 1, 2029. An estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says the proposal would lead to 7.6 million fewer people on Medicaid.
“Medicaid expansion is what allowed working-age, physically-capable, even young, single men to get onto Medicaid and it was subsidized at a much greater rate by the federal government,” Cramer said.
Medicaid expansion happened when the Affordable Care Act was signed into law by former President Barack Obama in 2010.
But Democrats say the “big, beautiful bill” will add to the federal deficit which, as of May 20, is at more than $1 trillion according to the Treasury Department.
“The Congressional Budget Office estimates it would add $37 trillion to the debt over the next 30 years. We’re leaving the next generation a $37 trillion bill to give the wealthy a tax cut,” Minnesota Senator Amy Kloubchar said recently on the Senate floor.
But Cramer notes additional provisions such as finding relief for tips, overtime pay and Social Security benefits is even more reason to approve it.
“It’s hard to see anything that gets me to a ‘no’ vote,” said Cramer.
Cramer said the bill could pass the Senate by Independence Day “if nothing trips up the process.”
“There could be enough moderates that are uncomfortable with the Medicaid provisions. There could be enough conservatives that say there aren’t enough budget or spending cuts,” Cramer explained.
Cramer hopes the Senate version of the bill will go further than the House version on spending and tax cuts.
