The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” billed as President Donald Trump’s signature tax-and-spending package, touches nearly every corner of federal policy. In the Senate, the chamber narrowly voted 51-49 on June 28 to proceed with debate ahead of a self-imposed July 4 deadline. As of this writing, the bill was barreling toward an uncertain vote to send it back to the House for final approval. As the nation watches, it’s worth examining what’s inside this “big, beautiful” bill — and why its promises are meeting a healthy dose of skepticism.
The bill bundles an array of long-sought conservative priorities. It would extend the 2017 tax cuts that are otherwise set to expire, including lower individual rates and a larger standard deduction. New tax breaks are sprinkled in as well — for example, temporary exemptions for overtime pay and tipped income from federal taxes and a pilot for universal savings accounts for newborn children. On the flip side, it repeals many clean-energy incentives enacted under President Joe Biden, such as electric vehicle and renewable energy credits. Further, big business stands to gain from corporate tax provisions like restoring full R&D expensing and keeping the 21% corporate tax rate, moves supporters say will boost U.S. competitiveness.
To offset the revenue loss of tax cuts, the bill calls for spending cuts to domestic programs. Medicaid funding would be reduced by roughly $625 billion over a decade, achieved through stricter eligibility rules, capped payments and mandated work requirements for certain adults. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would see about $267 billion less in federal support, as expanded work requirements limit benefits for “able-bodied” adults. The bill also rescinds a host of regulatory and climate initiatives — for example, it caps the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s budget and repeals billions in environmental programs (from clean energy grants to pollution cleanup funds). The bill also boosts defense and border security budgets — $150 billion more for the Pentagon and related programs and $140 billion for border security measures. The omnibus lives up to its name: one bill, big in scope, with something to please (or anger) almost everyone.
Reactions to the bill have been sharply divided. Business groups and industry leaders are largely enthusiastic. The National Association of Manufacturers hailed House passage of the bill as “a major victory for manufacturers across America,” saying it preserves critical tax policies that enable companies to create jobs, invest locally and compete globally.
On the flip side, public interest and community advocates have voiced deep concern. Analysts note that corporate shareholders and high earners reap the largest tax benefits, while low-income Americans bear the brunt of spending cuts. Health care leaders are especially alarmed. The Catholic Health Association, for example, convened hospital executives who warned that Medicaid cuts on this scale would be “devastating” — potentially forcing reductions in services or even closures of care facilities if states and providers must absorb the costs. Advocates for seniors and families likewise fear that stricter work requirements in SNAP and Medicaid could leave vulnerable people without food or medical care. Environmental groups, for their part, decry the rollback of climate funds and pollution controls.
For Maryland, the implications of this mega-bill are mixed. On one hand, many Maryland households would welcome the tax relief. The 2017 tax cuts — lower rates, a doubled child tax credit and a higher standard deduction — benefited a broad swath of middle-class families here. Making those provisions permanent avoids an abrupt tax hike in 2026. Small businesses would likewise benefit from extended deductions and expensing rules that free up capital for expansion. Additionally, the Senate’s concession on easing the SALT deduction cap is no trivial matter for Maryland. The $10,000 federal cap imposed in 2017 hit Maryland hard. Raising that cap, even temporarily, would restore a valuable deduction for many Maryland homeowners, effectively lowering their federal tax burden and perhaps boosting the local housing market. The bill’s $150 billion boost in defense spending could also bring tangible benefits to Maryland’s economy. With major military installations (such as Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground) and defense contractors employing tens of thousands of Marylanders, increased Pentagon outlays may translate into more jobs and investment in our communities.
On the other hand, Maryland would face serious challenges under other provisions. Let’s start with health care: Over 1.6 million Marylanders are enrolled in Medicaid. The bill’s massive Medicaid cuts would likely force Maryland to either shrink coverage or absorb huge costs. Maryland’s already-strained state budget could be thrown into deficit if federal support is pulled back. The bill mandates new work requirements for certain Medicaid recipients and similar rules for SNAP.
By Maryland’s own data, about 693,500 residents rely on SNAP food assistance. Imposing stricter work reporting for benefits may sound reasonable in theory, but in practice could mean thousands of Marylanders lose nutrition aid due to paperwork hurdles or volatile job schedules. Maryland’s officials have also invested in ambitious climate and clean energy goals to reduce carbon emissions in the coming decade. The bill’s repeal of renewable energy tax credits and grants undercuts those plans.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act may not turn out to be particularly beautiful at all – large omnibus bills rarely are. Achieving a proper balance in one gargantuan package is a tall order. As this legislation barrels forward, a dose of pragmatism and vigilance is more than warranted. The stakes — for our economy, our state budget and our neighbors in need — are simply too high for anything less.
Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers. They operate separately from the newsroom.
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