“One Big Beautiful Bill” Passes: Congress Approves Sweeping Cuts to Social Programs and Expands Deportation Powers

On July 3, 2025, Congress passed a sweeping piece of legislation titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), a cornerstone of former President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda. The bill combines aggressive tax cuts, significant reallocations in federal spending, major increases in defense and immigration enforcement, and deep reductions to social safety net programs.

Often described by Trump as “big and beautiful,” the bill represents one of the most expansive overhauls of federal policy in decades. It includes over 1,100 pages of provisions that touch nearly every aspect of the federal government’s role in economic, healthcare, and immigration policy.

Massive Tax Reforms

At the heart of the bill is the permanent extension of the 2017 Trump-era tax cuts. These include tax exemptions for tips and overtime pay, increased child tax credits, larger deductions for small business income, and a revised estate tax. Supporters argue that the bill will stimulate business growth and middle-class prosperity. Nearly $3 trillion in tax adjustments are designed to boost disposable income and private-sector investment.

Heavy Investment in Defense and Border Security

The bill significantly increases military spending with an additional $150 billion allocated to defense. Another $50 billion is earmarked for completing Trump’s border wall, while $4 billion is designated to expand the U.S. Border Patrol. An additional $170 billion will fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, with the goal of intensifying deportation efforts and increasing detentions. These allocations represent the most aggressive immigration enforcement investment in U.S. history.

Deep Cuts to Social Programs

To help offset the increased spending, the bill includes over $1 trillion in cuts to federal healthcare and food assistance programs. Medicaid and Medicare will face structural changes such as new work requirements and stricter eligibility checks. These measures are expected to remove coverage for millions of Americans. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, will also see tightened qualifications, with estimates suggesting that up to three million people may lose access to benefits.

Healthcare analysts project that up to 12 million Americans could lose insurance over the next decade as a result of these changes. Critics warn that the bill disproportionately harms low-income families, seniors, and children from marginalized communities.

National Debt and Fiscal Outlook

Despite the program reductions, the bill is expected to add between $3 to $4 trillion to the national debt over the next ten years. In addition, the legislation includes a $5 trillion debt ceiling increase to prevent a government default. Fiscal conservatives have expressed concern about long-term inflation and the growing cost of debt servicing. Many argue that the bill prioritizes political wins over responsible fiscal planning.

Political Drama and Narrow Passage

The House of Representatives passed the bill by a slim margin of 218 to 214 after a record-breaking eight-hour speech by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. In the Senate, it passed 51 to 50, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the deciding vote. Republican leaders hailed the legislation as bold and visionary, while Democrats described it as a devastating attack on working-class Americans.

What’s Next

President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law on July 4, making it a symbolic centerpiece of his return to power. Although the legislation delivers on many of Trump’s campaign promises, it also sets the stage for intense legal and political battles. Debates are expected to escalate around healthcare access, immigration enforcement, and the growing national debt.