By Wesley Brown

Republicans back Trump’s $5 trillion BBL, critics say 1100-page-plus bill could put the nation’s $5 trillion deficit on the backs of the next generation

By Wesley Brown – May 25, 2025 – As most Americans prepare for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, Congress is poised to adopt a 1,116-page omnibus bill that could overhaul the U.S. tax code for the next decade or more and impact every U.S. income bracket.

In the early hours of Thursday, May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved President Trump’s Big Beautiful Legislation (BBL) by a 215-214 vote. The massive appropriations bills will, among other things, extend tax cuts for individuals earning over $450,000 per year and establish new Arkansas-style Medicaid and SNAP benefits programs that critics will impact millions of poor and working families.

After emerging from the House Rules Committee earlier in the day and advancing to the House floor through several procedural moves to address in-party concerns among deficit hawks in the Republican Party, the House approved the reconciliation bill by a 215-214 vote. The bill aims to implement most of the president’s agenda in one sweeping action.

The 1,116-page bill will, among other things, extend the expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which would decrease federal tax revenue by $4.5 trillion from 2025 through 2034. However, if spending is not cut by $1.7 trillion, the cap on tax cuts will be reduced dollar-for-dollar.

According to a new analysis by the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center (TPC), the TCJA’s individual income tax provisions are due to expire by the end of 2025. Making them permanent and maintaining specific business tax provisions would cut taxes for the highest income 1 percent of households (those making $1 million or more) by 3.2 percent, or an average of about $70,000 in 2027.

The top 0.1 percent, or those who make $5 million or more, would receive an average tax cut of nearly $280,000, or 3 percent of their after-tax income. Middle-income households, by contrast, would see their taxes decline by about $1,000 or 1.3 percent of their after-tax incomes.

Although progressive and conservative think tanks have differing opinions on whether or not the BBL will provide a much-needed boost to the world’s largest economy, there is a consensus that the bill will increase the national debt by more than $4 trillion over the next 10 years and further complicate the IRS tax code.

Extending the TCJA would also cut taxes for about three-quarters of households but raise them for about 10 percent. In 2027, as noted, about 45 percent of the benefit of all the tax cuts would go to those making roughly $450,000 or more.

One Republican—Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, joined Democrats in opposing the resolution. Two other Republicans, Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona and Rep. Neal Dunn of Florida, did not vote. All four Arkansas House members – Reps. French Hill of Little Rock, Rick Crawford of Jonesboro, Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs, and Steve Woman of Rogers – vote for the measure.

Arkansas Congressional delegation votes “aye”

 After the late-night intra-party in-fighting and early morning vote, Hill called the BBL a major legislative victory that delivers real results for central Arkansas and includes two of his own legislative priorities in the 1,000-plus page BBL.

“This bill is a critical win for families and small businesses in central Arkansas. It prevents the largest tax hike in American history and puts us back on the path to smart, sustainable economic policy,” Hill. “It reflects tried and true conservative, pro-growth principles — spending discipline, tax relief, and restoring the integrity of programs that many Arkansans rely on like Medicaid and SNAP. It also sends a clear signal that House Republicans are serious about governing and delivering results for our constituents and for the American people.”

However, the Arkansas Democratic Party Chair Grant Tennille said Congressman Hill and the Arkansas congressional delegation failed Arkansans to placate President Trump.

“Last night, House Republicans, including all four of Arkansas’s Congressmen, voted to devastate Arkansas families, ripping away food and healthcare from hundreds of thousands of Arkansans— to appease Donald Trump and his billionaire backers,” said Tennille. “Here’s the reality: The GOP’s catastrophic ‘billionaire first’ budget will harm Arkansas’s economy, cost hardworking Arkansans their jobs, and leave working families footing the bill for America’s wealthiest. Once again, it’s clear that Trump and Republicans are only concerned with enriching billionaires on the backs of working Arkansans — but we’re ready to fight back. 

As noted by Hill, this comprehensive legislative package aims to solidify President Trump’s “America First” agenda, focusing on tax cuts, spending reductions, and increased border security. It is now headed to the Senate for consideration, where it is expected to undergo further changes.

Read Part II here. Medicaid and SNAP benefits in peril.

Read Part III here. National Debt to top $5 trillion, Moody’s cuts U.S. government credit rating