Inside Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’: Cuts, Consequences, and Controversy
A deep dive into how Trump’s massive 2025 spending plan slashes healthcare, education, and science funding—while reshaping the safety net and driving up the deficit.
Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is a massive, hyper-partisan bill rolled out in 2025 that mixes big tax cuts with spending hikes and large changes to healthcare, welfare, and immigration. Basically, it’s Trump’s attempt to lock in his second-term agenda all at once.
What’s Happening in Congress:
The Senate barely moved it forward with a 51–49 vote. Only two Republicans (Tillis and Paul) joined Democrats to try to slow it down. Trump’s pushing hard to get it passed by July 4, even threatening Republicans who don’t fall in line. Meanwhile, Democrats are stalling—forcing the whole 940-page bill to be read aloud.
What the Numbers Say:
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), this bill could blow up the deficit by $2.4 to $3.3 trillion over 10 years—and potentially leave over 10 million people uninsured.
What Gets Cut — and What It Could Mean
Healthcare & Safety Net
Medicaid
$700 billion cut over 10 years
Adds work requirements (80 hrs/month), tighter eligibility checks (twice a year), new fees, and blocks funding for gender-affirming care and Planned Parenthood
What That Could Mean:
Up to 15 million people could lose coverage
People with caregiving duties, disabilities, or unstable jobs might not meet the new work rules
Red tape could cause people to lose benefits even if they still qualify
Cuts hit low-income folks, LGBTQ+ communities, and women the hardest
SNAP (Food Stamps)
$267–300 billion in cuts
Extends work rules to older adults (ages 55–64) and some parents
Pushes more administrative costs onto states (5–25%)
What That Could Mean:
5–10 million people may lose access or see their benefits slashed
Older adults and working parents most at risk
Rural and Southern states—who rely on this the most—will be hit hardest
States might have to raise taxes or cut their own programs to keep SNAP running
Education & Student Aid
Pell Grants would be harder to get (tighter rules, full-time only)
Ends subsidized federal student loans starting July 2026
What That Could Mean:
Low-income students could lose Pell access
Borrowing becomes more expensive—interest starts piling up while you’re still in school
First-gen and working-class students may struggle more to finish college
Science, Health & Research
Huge cuts to key agencies:
CDC: –44%
NASA science: –52%
NIH: –40%
NSF: –55%
NIH’s “Cures Act” funding slashed in half—puts programs like Cancer Moonshot and BRAIN Initiative at risk
What That Could Mean:
Life-saving research (cancer, mental health, climate, etc.) slowed or canceled
Layoffs in labs and universities
Big blow to U.S. leadership in science, biotech, AI, and space
Media & Broadcasting
Ends federal funding for CPB, which supports NPR and PBS
What That Could Mean:
Dozens of rural stations could shut down
Kids lose access to shows like Sesame Street
Raises red flags about press freedom and independent media
Foreign Aid & Global Health
Freezes most USAID programs for 90 days, including PEPFAR (the global HIV/AIDS program)
What That Could Mean:
HIV treatment for millions interrupted
U.S. loses influence and soft power
Destabilizes aid-dependent countries—could lead to more conflict and migration
Other Cuts
Blocks Medicaid funds from going to Planned Parenthood (~200 clinics at risk of closing)
Big cuts to mental health, disability, and aging services
Pulls back pharmacy and provider taxes that help states fund healthcare
What That Could Mean:
Reduced access to STI screenings, contraception, and cancer screenings
Fewer mental health and elder care programs
States may raise taxes or cut other services to fill the gap
Less funding could mean cuts in care and coverage
Big Picture: What It All Adds Up To
More poverty and inequality—especially for women, LGBTQ+ folks, disabled people, and communities of color
States, especially rural or red states, get stuck with the bill
Long-term damage to U.S. innovation, health systems, and education
More people could face homelessness, food insecurity, and health crises