The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB)

Also, this bill was passed using the “reconciliation” process. This means that the bill must be about budget, not policy. The reconciliation process is used because it requires only 51 votes in the Senate, not the usual 60. The Senate parliamentarian makes the decision(s) as to what is or is not budget and thus what can or cannot be in the bill. As you might guess, her decisions are many times not popular.

On July 3, I joined 217 of my Republican colleagues in voting for H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB), as amended by the Senate. Two Republicans joined all of the Democrats (214) and voted against the bill. Thus, the bill passed by one vote (217-216).

This legislation does a lot, including making some of the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, investing in securing our borders, adding new tax reductions (no tax on most social security benefits, no tax on some overtime pay, a deduction for interest paid on a loan for the purchase of a new car built or assembled in the United States), adding money to the Department of Defense budget, allocating some 12 billion dollars for Air Traffic Control upgrades, and providing new means of incentivizing removal of timber from our forests.

By extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts, the OBBB prevents a scheduled 22% tax hike on millions of people. It raises the Child Tax Credit to $2,200. It strengthens the Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit, supports Made-in-America manufacturing, and makes permanent the 20% Qualified Business Income deduction — and this is very significant for more than 350,000 Oregon small businesses, including S-Corps, LLCs, and family-run partnerships. This bill will benefit 33.9 million seniors, about 4 million tipped workers, and roughly 97.7 million overtime workers. 

For Oregon’s farmers and ranchers, this bill includes more than $10 billion in tax cuts, continues disaster relief funding, strengthens crop insurance, and increases the wheat reference price from $5.50 to $6.35 per bushel. Critically, as mentioned above, it mandates a year-over-year increase in timber harvested from Forest Service and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands, helping us reduce wildfire risk and put Oregonians back to work in the woods.

The bill provides $175 billion for border enforcement, including an additional 701 miles of physical wall and 900 miles of river barriers. It funds 3,000 new border patrol agents, 5,000 new customs officers, provides $150 billion to modernize our military and $12.5 billion to begin the overhaul of our air traffic control systems.

It also rescinds wasteful green energy handouts from the so-called Inflation Reduction Act; eliminates the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund; and restores oil, gas, and coal leasing on federal lands. With 36 mandatory lease sales in our oceans, we are taking real steps to restore American energy dominance and to reduce dependence on foreign energy.

Some critics have focused on the bill’s healthcare and nutrition assistance reforms, but here’s the truth: this bill protects Medicaid for those it was meant to serve — seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families. It is also important to note that the OBBB does not touch Medicare. Instead, it slows unchecked spending and begins the process of fixing loopholes states have exploited for years. For example, Oregon is currently the only state that provides most adult Medicaid recipients with two years of continuous eligibility. As a result, even when people get jobs with access to employer-sponsored insurance, many stay on Medicaid. Starting in 2027, the OBBB will require that states conduct eligibility redeterminations twice annually for ACA expansion enrollees (able-bodied adults), replacing the patchwork of state schedules with a clear six-month standard. State programs will also be able to automate verifications using federal data, like Social Security numbers and death records, eliminating repetitive paper-work and catching cases of fraud. The bill invests $250 million in system upgrades to support these changes. Taken together, these reforms reduce administrative layers, speed benefit processing, and give states the resources they need for efficient, accountable implementation.

For those impacted by Medicaid eligibility redeterminations, alternative coverage remains available through employer-sponsored plans, private insurance, or the subsidized ACA marketplace. These alternative insurance options reimburse hospitals at significantly higher rates. Increasing eligibility reviews can provide important financial benefits and security to the providers who care for them. Additionally, our rural hospitals remain protected thanks to continued federal funding through the Disproportionate Share Hospital program and the newly created Rural Transformation Fund, a $50 billion provision I discussed in detail and at length with Dr. Mehmet Oz (the Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services). It should be understood that the reductions in the “Provider Tax” will not begin until Oct. 1, 2027, and then are phased in over five years.

The bill also takes long-overdue steps to restore integrity to the SNAP (food stamp) program. It establishes clear work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), requiring, if they wish to be eligible for these benefits, to work, volunteer, or attend school for at least 20 hours per week. It implements a state cost-share model to hold states accountable for states’ performance.

This is especially applicable to Oregon. In 2022, Oregon had one of the worst SNAP error rates in the nation, being responsible for nearly $250 million in overpayments. Under this bill, states with error rates above 6% will be required to contribute up to 20% in matching funds unless corrective action is taken. States that manage the program properly will not be penalized.

This is not a complete summary of what’s in the bill, nor is it a detailed summary of the provisions in the bill. For further information, it is best to go online and review one or more of the many articles that have been posted. There is no doubt that this bill supports working families, farmers, small businesses, and the rural communities that keep our nation strong. It reins in bloated bureaucracy, reduces wasteful spending, and restores accountability to governments. There is more work to do, but with this bill, we are fulfilling the promises made to the American people and getting our country back on track. 

Interactive map

The White House created an interactive map of the U.S. showing the estimated savings Americans can expect from initiatives from the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act on a state-by-state basis. To review, visit hwww.whitehouse.gov/obbb.

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U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz represents Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District. The above was taken from his newsletter, sent to constituents on July 28. The full newsletter can be found at columbiagorgenews.com. Sign up for his newsletter at bentz.house.gov.