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The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee released updates to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act after the Senate parliamentarian objected to certain provisions. The main changes include gutting provisions in the 2023 Inflation Reduction Act and reallocating funds to support the continuation of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. However, there are concerns that the bill’s proposed changes could have negative effects on Medicaid coverage, food access, and rural hospitals, pressuring Senate Republicans to reconsider those aspects.
Capito Releases Updated Text for One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released an updated legislative text for President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act after the Senate parliamentarian objected to prior provisions. The revised text, focusing on repealing parts of the 2023 Inflation Reduction Act, faces increased criticism for its potential impact on Medicaid and rural hospitals.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which aims to continue Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, initially passed the U.S. House of Representatives on May 23 with a 215-214-1 vote. The latest committee text proposes rescinding remaining funding from various Inflation Reduction Act programs, including clean heavy-duty vehicles, greenhouse gas reduction, and environmental data collection.
Despite facing critiques over potential reductions in Medicaid coverage and accessibility to food, the committee’s updated legislative text includes plans to pause the methane tax for 10 years and introduce an opt-in fee program under the National Environmental Policy Act to expedite environmental reviews.
Several original legislative text provisions were rejected by the Senate parliamentarian, including one that allowed certain infrastructure projects to be exempt from judicial review. The updated EPA legislative text removes funds for enforcing the tailpipe emissions rule while keeping the rule intact. It also withdrew the objected judicial review provision.
The revised text also appropriates $257 million for the Kennedy Center’s necessary repairs, security, and general maintenance. The changes in the center’s governance after Trump replaced the entire board with supporters have been a concern for Democratic lawmakers.
As the July 4 deadline for passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act looms, pressure is increasing on senators to temper proposed changes to aid programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. West Virginia Hospital Association representatives expressed concerns about potential Medicaid cuts, which could jeopardize the state’s rural hospital system.
Changes to the SNAP program could see West Virginia bear the cost of providing $85 million for SNAP by 2028. The bill also imposes additional work requirements on SNAP recipients, potentially removing some from the program. State food banks, including the Mountaineer Food Bank, are opposing these changes.
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